Washington crash: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new information regarding the tragic mid-air collision in Washington.
The collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on 29 January 2025. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board both aircraft.
The new findings relate to ATC communications with the Army Black Hawk helicopter, instructing it to pass behind the American jet which was on final approach. It now appears that the helicopter pilots may have missed hearing a vital traffic sequencing instruction.
Key Findings
The NTSB’s investigation has revealed that the helicopter crew may not have heard a crucial instruction from air traffic control to pass behind the American Airlines jet.
This is due to the helicopter’s microphone key being depressed at the time of the transmission, which would have blocked the instruction.
According to NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, the air traffic controller issued the instruction “pass behind the American flight” 17 seconds before the collision.
However, the helicopter’s microphone key was depressed for 0.8 seconds at the exact moment the instruction was being transmitted. This may have prevented the crew from hearing the critical words “pass behind the,” which could have changed the course of events.
Additionally, the NTSB is investigating the possibility of inaccurate altitude readings on the helicopter.
At one point prior to the collision, the helicopter’s pilot called out that the Black Hawk was at 300 feet. However, the instructor pilot said the helicopter was at 400 feet, said Homendy.
Investigators are trying to determine why there was a discrepancy in the altitude readings.
Ongoing Investigation
The NTSB’s investigation is still ongoing. Investigators are continuing to analyze data from both aircraft’s black boxes, as well as interviewing witnesses and air traffic controllers.
The NTSB will release a final report on the crash, which will include a determination of the probable cause and any recommendations for preventing similar accidents in the future.
Conclusion
The NTSB’s recent findings in the wake of the Washington crash highlight the importance of clear communication between air traffic control and pilots. In this case, the failure to hear a key visual sequencing instruction may have contributed to the collision.
The general increase in commercial air traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has been a point of contention for some time. The FAA moved to reduce the frequency of flight arrivals following the accident.
The Washington mid-air collision becomes the deadliest air disaster in the United States since 2001.
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