Shortly Before Fatal Crash, Jet Pilot Was Asked to Change Runways

The New York Times ^ | Jan. 30, 2025, 1:14 p.m. ET | Kate Kelly and Emily Steel

[Fester Chugabrew]

It’s complicated. Human error is simple.

[ryderann]

The helicopter made a last minute turn and drop in altitude right into the plane. Don’t forget the container ship leaving Baltimore that made the last minute veering right into the bridge. Is there a hacker out there? What were the drones looking for?

[Steely Tom]

...and may have been made to help keep air traffic moving efficiently by not clogging the main runway

Mission accomplished. American Airlines Flight 5342 didn't clog any runways.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Ships travel in two dimensions at dozens of miles per hour.

Aircraft travel in three dimensions at hundreds of miles per hour.

[Col Frank Slade]

The intersecting runway may be shorter so it could accommodate a smaller regional jet, leaving the longer main runway available for larger aircraft.

[volare737]

ATC can ask almost anything, but the pilot can refuse the request for the shorter runway.

[freepersup]

Reagan Airport has 3 runways.

4-22

33-15

1-19

The CRJ / #5432, may have been initially assigned 1-19, but because another flight was taking off southbound - using 1-19, was reassigned to land on 33-15. Not a big deal.

However, a helo was barreling down on the airspace, and misinterpreted the tower’s warning, confusing an aircraft that took off for the one that was inbound from Wichita, Kansas.

Sadly = BOOM!

[MortMan]

On final approach, on glideslope, and reportedly 30 seconds from landing, changing from a 33o degree approach to a 10 degree approach is a major operation - probably with a go-around, procedure turn, and other maneuvers.

The helicopter should have been turned away, by the pilot if not the ATC controller, IMO. (Not a pilot, but in aircraft industry with ground school under my belt).

[volare737]

There was no way an aircraft was taking off southbound with the winds that day.

[freepersup]

Really?

[freepersup]

Watch the video.

[freepersup]

Yet, they did! Watch the videos!

[ryderann]

A joy stick could handle that.

[volare737]

No way, the winds were 320/17G25.

[volare737]

No aircraft will takeoff or land with a tailwind of 10 k or greater.

[Texas Fossil]

So many errors and bad calls.

Total Disaster. Fatal

[freepersup]

Give me a break!

I’m a former professional freefall parachutist. I’m also a heavy drop parachute rigger, (#38,000lbs) and a couple of other disciplines, and I’m not buying your wind limitation. Weak soup.

[volare737]

Wow…You obviously know nothing about flying or wind limitations.

[volare737]

Sorry, I meant to say ABSOLUTELY nothing.