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Audio of MID-AIR CRASH into Potomac River | Regional Jet and Black Hawk Helicopter
YouTube - VASA Aviation ^ | January 30, 2025 | Staff

Posted on 01/30/2025 8:14:21 AM PST by Red Badger

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To: Bon of Babble

“Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.”

Yes. The radar screen video was leaked and red “CA” (Collision Alert) was flashing on both aircraft. The ATC should have been sending commanding instructions to both aircraft, not just asking “Do you see the plane?”

Looking at the tracks of both craft my first thought was a suicide attack to hurt Trump. Sounds like a way out there conspiracy theory, but an Army helo accidentally flying into the landing path of a major airport while on a training mission? Come on. Talk about not passing the smell test.


41 posted on 01/30/2025 10:48:07 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (They were the FA-est of times, they were the FO-est of times.)
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To: Red Badger

“night vision goggles.”

With all the bright lights in the urban area and other aircraft with landing lights on, would they be wearing night vision goggles? Don’t the goggles flare and get washed out in such conditions?


42 posted on 01/30/2025 10:50:09 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (They were the FA-est of times, they were the FO-est of times.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Yes, and they limit your peripheral vision............


43 posted on 01/30/2025 11:08:19 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: pfflier
No, not equipped. The airliner might have collision avoidance equipment though.

Been awhile for me, but I thought all aircraft operating in Class B airspace, or under the Class B veil, were required to have at least a Mode C/ADS-B operating.

44 posted on 01/30/2025 11:18:06 AM PST by eastexsteve
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To: eastexsteve
I thought all aircraft operating in Class B airspace, or under the Class B veil, were required to have at least a Mode C/ADS-B operating.

Under the new rule, aircraft conducting operations related to homeland security, law enforcement, national defense and intelligence that could be compromised by transmitting real-time aircraft position information are permitted to disable ADS-B transmissions after obtaining proper authorization from the FAA.

This may or may not have been the case last night. Presumably the AIB will tell us.

45 posted on 01/30/2025 11:58:14 AM PST by pfflier
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To: 1Old Pro

1) Wrongs altitude (who controls that?)

My understanding is that the hard ceiling for helos operating near National Airport is 200 feet. Seems the helo pilot was in error.

2) Warned too late (Who controls that)

The air traffic controller (ATC) should have warned earlier. Would the altitude of the Black Hawk be available to the ATC? My guess is that IFF would be displayed on the ATC’s radar. Would an altitude violation also be displayed?


46 posted on 01/30/2025 12:08:31 PM PST by thepoodlebites (and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.)
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To: fruser1

Yes, listening to a number of pilots on this, it would appear that the directions given to the helicopter were insufficient.

In order to approach runway 33, the pilot has to turn slightly left coming into that particular approach.

If ATC fails designate what to look out for, it is very possible the helicopter pilot was confirming visual on the wrong aircraft.


47 posted on 01/30/2025 12:10:46 PM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
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To: thepoodlebites

It’s going to be shared blame in some aspects, ATC and in the end the pilot. I’d also include allowing military missions that put civilian aircraft at risk.


48 posted on 01/30/2025 12:11:11 PM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: thepoodlebites

The air traffic controller (ATC) should have warned earlier. Would the altitude of the Black Hawk be available to the ATC? My guess is that IFF would be displayed on the ATC’s radar. Would an altitude violation also be displayed?

OK, I watched the Youtube video. I try to avoid Youtube, prefer Rumble or X. Both aircraft were displayed on the ATC’s radar. Looks like the Black Hawk veered into the flight path of the airliner. Also, the helo had ascended above the 200 ft. ceiling.


49 posted on 01/30/2025 12:27:45 PM PST by thepoodlebites (and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.)
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To: 1Old Pro

It’s going to be shared blame in some aspects, ATC and in the end the pilot. I’d also include allowing military missions that put civilian aircraft at risk.

Looks like both ATC and the helo pilot error. But these flight ops have been going on for years without a mishap. The night vision goggles (NVGs) were available but were they used?
Training with NVGs near the airport seems reckless. The conditions were great for VFR. The entire area is lighted well. Doesn’t make sense to me but a lot of things the past four years don’t make sense.


50 posted on 01/30/2025 1:23:20 PM PST by thepoodlebites (and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.)
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To: Red Badger

” I’m open to the possibility of the pilot doing a kamikaze “

Doubtful. Broken Arrow is rare.


51 posted on 01/30/2025 1:43:07 PM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

”I’m open to the possibility of the pilot doing a kamikaze“

Doubtful. Broken Arrow is rare.

Someone tell a joke.

OK, the names of the helo flight crew were ‘Sum Ting Wong,’ ‘Wi Tu Lo’ and ‘Ho Lee Fuk.’


52 posted on 01/30/2025 5:41:18 PM PST by thepoodlebites (and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.)
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To: Bon of Babble

They were flying with night vision goggles.


53 posted on 01/30/2025 5:49:31 PM PST by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! )
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To: thepoodlebites

I don’t think this scenario is funny. Just sad.


54 posted on 01/30/2025 6:11:51 PM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Georgia Girl 2

I don’t think this scenario is funny. Just sad.

I know, but it is more than sad. Wait until more of the DEI stuff comes out.
MK-Ultra 2.0?


55 posted on 01/30/2025 6:47:34 PM PST by thepoodlebites (and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.)
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