The collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter near the city's airport on last week Wednesday evening in Washington appears to have been a mistake by the helicopter pilots, according to investigators who spoke to The Washington Post. The newspaper reports that it heard radio communications in which there does not appear to be any panicky situation.

The (very experienced) crew of the helicopter was warned minutes in advance by the control tower that a plane was landing. The pilots heard that and indicated that they would pay attention and keep their distance. That was two minutes before the collision and there was enough time to change course or altitude.

The control tower issued another warning, but that came twelve seconds before the collision. According to those involved in the investigation, the sound recordings are not perfect, but it is clear that the helicopter pilot understood what the control tower meant and responded affirmatively each time with the term 'visual separation'. That indicates that he knows what is going on and is keeping a safe distance from the intended aircraft.

But that last point did not happen. Investigators suspect the pilot was looking at another plane and misunderstood the communication with the control tower. It appears the pilot took the warning seriously, but did not see the American Airlines CRJ700 that was about to land as the problem, literally and figuratively. The airliner had 64 people on board and the helicopter three. Both planes crashed into the Potomac River that flows next to Reagan National Airport. No one survived.

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)