Posted on 01/30/2025 7:01:38 AM PST by Red Badger
America suffered a fresh tragedy when a packed passenger jet collided with a US Army helicopter and plunged into Washington DC's Potomac River.
The collision took place as the American Airlines flight carrying 64 people made its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport shortly before 9pm ET.
More than 30 bodies have been recovered for the freezing river early Thursday, with authorities saying there are no survivors although search efforts are still ongoing.
A temporary morgue has been set up in the capital to house the bodies.
A Black Hawk helicopter flying a training sortie cut through the airspace from the opposite direction under cover of darkness, with both aircraft seemingly unaware of the other's presence.
They slammed into one another just 400ft above ground, erupting in a violent explosion before plunging into the freezing Potomac River below.
More than 300 first responders and rescue workers were deployed to the Potomac on inflatable boats while others erected searchlights to illuminate the murky waters in a desperate hunt for survivors.
But no one is thought to have survived the brutal mid-air collision that ended with the wreckage of both aircraft sinking to the bottom of the gushing river.
It is the first fatal crash involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when 50 people died in Buffalo, New York, following a crash of a Bombardier DHC-C propeller aircraft.
President Donald Trump said he had been 'fully briefed on this terrible accident' and, referring to the passengers, added, 'May God Bless their souls', while American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed 'deep sorrow' for the crash.
Now, as rescue efforts continue and investigations into the tragic incident begin, here's how the catastrophe unfolded.
VIDEO AND ANIMATIONS AT LINK.....................
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
AVIATION Ping.....................
It's quibbling, but I believe the helicopter crashed into the plane.
BTTT
Not paying enough attention.
The aircraft did not collide with the helo
The helo collided with the aircraft, flying into the starboard side of the airliner at 400 ft msl as the airliner was seconds from touchdown
So in 12 hours the Daily Mail has it all together. Ok.
And at the top of the sidebar just happens to be this:
DON'T MISS
Michelle Obama shares heartfelt message from 'Barack and I' as she reflects on inauguration tragedy amid marriage rumors
Yep, t-boned it. A helicopter has much greater maneuvering capabilities than a plane so it should be the one to give way.
The helicopter hit the plane, not the other way around . . . . and from behind, too.
Breaking:
It is now being reported/confirmed that the helo crew were using night vision systems and that it was annual training. This could mean that the level of currency in using night vision systems was low (annual/yearly/infrequent/rusty/etc.) contributing to the likely possibility that the helo crew never saw the jet until it was too late, or not at all until impact.
[[[ Here’s a thought, how about not using night vision systems in a congested metropolitan area, where large jets cross your path, especially if it has been up to a year since the same kind of training was last conducted. ]]]
<><><>
(Bringing the below post over from another thread.)
Aviation maps require helos to fly no higher than 200’ AGL, on a path due south, following the east bank of the Potomac River, in or near the south approach to Reagan Airport.
Once south, and past the Wilson Bridge, helos may ascend to no more than 300’ AGL.
The collision is reported to have taken place at 350’ - 400’ AGL.
Initial conclusion drawn, would be that the helo was out of it’s permitted altitude parameters.
I know, I know. Stating the obvious. <> freepersup <>
A DEI helicopter crew?
Why is the US military running ‘training’ exercises around Reagan National Airport at all?
“A DEI helicopter crew?”
And if not, who gets the blame?
Either way, the core cause is that somebody wasn’t ensuring a clear air space for everybody at the time of the collision.
There was another A/C taking off at that same time................
Why did the helicopter crew not answer when asked if they saw the plane. They were asked twice and there was no response.
I would say “training” also if I didn’t want people to know what it was actually doing.
Hence my suggestion. The helicopter crew was looking at the wrong plane (the plane taking off) and didn't realize the CRJ-700 landing until too late. Especially if the helicopter was not equipped with TCAS to warn of other planes in the area.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.