How disaster over the Potomac unfolded: Minute-by-minute reconstruction shows how American Airlines jet carrying 64 hit Black Hawk helicopter in mid-air before plunging into river, leaving no survivors

Daily Mail UK ^ | January 30, 2025 | Staff

[Red Badger]

AVIATION Ping.....................

[1Old Pro]

a packed passenger jet collided with a US Army helicopter

It's quibbling, but I believe the helicopter crashed into the plane.

[nopardons]

BTTT

[linMcHlp]

Not paying enough attention.

[silverleaf]

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

[ZinGirl]

So in 12 hours the Daily Mail has it all together. Ok.

[Ezekiel]

America suffered a fresh tragedy when a packed passenger jet collided with a US Army helicopter and plunged into Washington DC's Potomac River.

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

[Pollard]

Yep, t-boned it. A helicopter has much greater maneuvering capabilities than a plane so it should be the one to give way.

[knarf]

The helicopter hit the plane, not the other way around . . . . and from behind, too.

[freepersup]

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 <>

[Socon-Econ]

A DEI helicopter crew?

[mac_truck]

Why is the US military running ‘training’ exercises around Reagan National Airport at all?

[Round Earther]

“A DEI helicopter crew?”

And if not, who gets the blame?

[RayChuang88]

I believe that because of the crowded airspace situation around Reagan National Airport and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (which has helicopter pads on the base) right across the Potomac River, it's possible that the flight crew of the helicopter was looking at the wrong plane as described by air traffic control from Reagan Airport. Because the helicopter likely lacked TCAS equipment to look for collision hazards, they strayed into the flight path of the airliner at the worst time possible. ☹️

[Jonty30]

Either way, the core cause is that somebody wasn’t ensuring a clear air space for everybody at the time of the collision.

[Red Badger]

There was another A/C taking off at that same time................

[Deo volente]

Why did the helicopter crew not answer when asked if they saw the plane. They were asked twice and there was no response.

[Rural_Michigan]

I would say “training” also if I didn’t want people to know what it was actually doing.

[RayChuang88]

There was another A/C taking off at that same time................

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.