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In response to the confusing communication during the Black Hawk helicopter pilot’s training and collision with an American Airlines flight, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials are conducting investigations to determine whether and how that confusion contributed to the fatal accident. As of recent developments, the accident occurred on Jan 29, 2021, when an American Airlines regional jet arrived at Ronald Reagan National Airport, near the Potomac River, carrying Flight 5342, which later crashed into the Army Black Hawk helicopter. The Black Hawk crew was performing a training mission as the American Airlines jet, carrying 67 passengers, returned from Wichita, Kan.
The NTSB investigators remain investigating the possibility of what appeared to be “confused communications” inside the Black Hawk’s cockpit, which may have influenced the pilot’s actions leading to the collision. During a press conference later that day, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy recounted instances where the air traffic controller erroneously provided instructions to the Black Hawk crew that would result in confusion. The first instance involved the controller informing the crew members that “the American Airlines flight was ‘circling’ around the airport to switch runways for landing.” Homendy noted that the helicopter crew was not fully informed, and that this communication could have been heard during a replay of the שנים. However, Homendy emphasized that the helicopter’s cockpit voice recorder did not pick up the word at that moment, as it was being “stepped on” due to the helicopter’s impaired microphone key.
The second critical instance occurred later, when the air traffic controller instructed the Black Hawk to “pass behind the American Airlines flight which was seconds away from landing.” The helicopter’s cockpit voice recorder revealed a transmission that initially stated this instruction but was then “stepped off” at the press of the subscriber key. While the helicopter’s pilot and instructor pilot believed the instruction meant to direct the Black Hawk to navigate east toward the river, Homendy questioned whether the controller’s exact words, which seemed to conflict with the pilot’s interpretation, were entirely accurate. Homendy stated that the key press of the subcommand “0.8 seconds” led the helicopter’s microphone to hears those words, but they were not heard during the pilot’s voice recorder.
The NTSB team is also examining whether the Black Hawk’s altitude readings did not match the flight path described during the accident. The flight path was specifically designed for horizontal communication and to ensure maximum safety during training, with the maximum height expected to be 200 feet above the river. However, the accident occurred at approximately 300 feet, suggesting that the aircraft continued to ascend. Homendy indicated that the NTSB team is assessing why there was a discrepancy between the Black Hawk’s displayed altitude and the trajectory of the flight.
At 8:45 pm, the Black Hawk helicopter was observed passing by the Memorial Bridge. The instructor pilot, identified as Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, corroborated the helicopter’s position at both 300 feet and 200 feet when passing reception. However, during a subsequent observation at 8:52 pm, the NTSB officials noted that the pilot’s position indicated he was still ascending. Interestingly, the colonel Supplies flew past the Key Bridge, about 0.5 miles west of the bubble point, but it was neither pilot who communicate this location. Homendy noted that the officers at both planes saw the Key Bridge at the same time, adding to the confusion.
The NTSB’s investigation is still in progress, and the team has discovered that during the flight, the Black Hawk pilot was perceived as making multiple attempts to descend to the 200-foot elevation. Homendy emphasized that at 8:45 pm, the pilot was at 300 feet. The plane’s position at 8:43 pm was 300 feet as well, but a sudden shift occurred at 8:45 pm when pilot Lobach reported ascending to 200 feet. Homendy explained that several factors could contribute to this discrepancy, including sensory sensitivities or ambiguities in communication. The NTSB’s team is working to clarify whether there was an unspoken abception or other hidden causes for the accident. Further investigation is expected to be completed by the end of the week, with detailed discussions scheduled to tackle the most critical questions of the case.
Overall, the investigation into the Black Hawk helicopter’s training and collision remains a significant challenge. The incident serves as a stark highlight of the risks associated with unqualified pilots and oversight in aviation safety. The lessons learned from this event will likely shape fidelity training guidelines, emphasizing critical thinking and clear communication as essential components of flight safety. The NTSB’s findings should play a pivotal role in shaping future pilots’ perceptions and deaths in the industry, fostering improved training programs and regulatory frameworks.
