Final Conversation Revealed Between Black Hawk Pilot and Her Instructor Before They Collided with Passenger Jet

New Details Revealed About the Final Moments Before American Airlines D.C. Crash by NTSB

Fresh information has emerged shedding light on the final seconds leading up to the tragic collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet near Washington, D.C. in January, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. These details, disclosed during a recent set of government hearings, raise questions about the actions of the Black Hawk helicopter in the skies that day.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) commenced a three-day hearing on Wednesday, July 30, to investigate the crash that had been under scrutiny for several months. The circumstances surrounding the incident, and the conduct of the helicopter crew, particularly the Black Hawk’s movements prior to the collision, are being closely examined. Air traffic controllers are also facing scrutiny following reports of staffing challenges on the day of the tragedy. Helicopters have historically operated in proximity to the airport, further complicating the investigation.

During the hearings, officials presented an animated reconstruction of the minutes leading up to the fatal crash on Jan. 29 over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The NTSB’s presentation confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342 had its last communication with air traffic controllers when instructed to switch runways approximately five minutes before landing. The jet was en route from Wichita, Kan., with several young figure skaters onboard following an elite training camp.

In parallel, the Army helicopter, carrying the pilot Capt. Rebecca Lobach, was flying back to Fort Belvoir in Virginia after a night evaluation flight. The Black Hawk had a three-person crew, including Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara. Eaves acted as the instructor during the flight. Notably, the designated flight path for the helicopter near the airport had a maximum altitude of 200 feet, yet the aircraft was observed flying well above that, fluctuating between the mid-200 feet range up to over 300 feet in the vicinity of the airport.

Approximately three minutes before the collision, Eaves instructed Lobach to descend as they were at 300 feet, as per the new NTSB presentation. The air traffic controller issued two warnings to the helicopter about the approaching passenger jet, the first about two minutes before the crash and the second about 90 seconds prior. On both occasions, the helicopter crew acknowledged spotting the jet and requested “visual separation” to maneuver around it, a request that was granted by the controller.

Five seconds after the last warning, Eaves directed Lobach to move left, suggesting it as the reason for the controller’s instruction. The dialogue between them lasted only a few seconds before the tragic collision occurred at 8:48 p.m. local time, with the helicopter at 270 feet and the American Airlines jet descending at 320 feet. The NTSB hearing is set to resume over the following days for further investigations and analysis of the events leading up to the crash.

The unfolding details from the government hearing have provided additional clarity on the harrowing moments before the catastrophic accident, prompting a reevaluation of the factors contributing to the collision. The investigative process continues as authorities delve deeper into the actions of both the helicopter crew and air traffic controllers on that fateful day near Washington, D.C.

As the NTSB hearing progresses, more insights are expected to emerge, offering a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of events that culminated in the tragic loss of lives in the American Airlines D.C. crash. Stay tuned for further updates as the investigation unfolds.

In review, the detailed reconstruction of the final moments leading up to the American Airlines D.C. crash provides a somber reminder of the inherent risks and complexities involved in air travel, underscoring the critical importance of rigorous safety protocols and vigilant oversight in aviation operations to prevent such catastrophic incidents from occurring.