"She did not turn left"

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/27/business/dc-plane-crash-reagan-airport.html

Up to now attention has focused on the Black Hawk’s altitude, which was too high and placed the helicopter directly in the jet’s landing path at National Airport. But The Times found new details that show that the failures were far more complex than previously known.

The helicopter crew appeared to have made more than one mistake. Not only was the Black Hawk flying too high, but in the final seconds before the crash, its pilot failed to heed a directive from her co-pilot, an Army flight instructor, to change course.

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But even as it reached that juncture, Warrant Officer Eaves evidently felt obligated to repeat his instruction: The Black Hawk was at 300 feet, he said, and needed to descend.

Captain Lobach said she would. But two and a half minutes later, the Black Hawk still was above 200 feet — a dangerously high level.

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The Black Hawk was 15 seconds away from crossing paths with the jet. Warrant Officer Eaves then turned his attention to Captain Lobach.

He told her he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left, toward the east river bank.

Turning left would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342, which was heading for Runway 33 at an altitude of roughly 300 feet.

She did not turn left.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5717144&forum_id=2#48885056)

Danny

Pittsburgh, PA

3h ago

As an airline pilot, I feel this article is excellent.

Military aircraft should not be allowed to fly near airliners. Military and civilian aircraft do not mix well and have different priorities. Military pilots do not have the same training or operational goals that an airline pilot does when they walk into their cockpit everyday. The safety standards and expertise are divergent enough where the government needs to separate these two industries.

Quite frankly, as an airline pilot I don't want to be bothered by a VFR helicopter with night goggles not able to follow ATC instructions. Incompetence can not be allowed in aviation.

This accident is an embarrassment for the nation. It shows me that the FAA and the US government can not manage the US airspace system safely. These routes should have never been approved, FAA facilities should be staffed correctly, and military aircraft need to avoid busy civilian airports.

The behavior of our government is dangerous and unacceptable.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5717144&forum_id=2#48885125)

Len

PA

4h ago

The burning question is why the Blackhawk pilot did not turn left when her warrant officer told her to do so.

Has she done that this would never have happened.

I guess we’ll never know why she chose to ignore him.

But the overriding issue that I can see from this excellent reporting is that if it’s predictable, it’s preventable, and with so many near misses in the last 20 or 30 years involving helicopters And Jet airliners One would think there would be a better system in place.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5717144&forum_id=2#48885126)

J.

US

4h ago

The military helicopter repeatedly ignored the towers warnings. That is what happened, period.

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MT commented 3 hours ago

M

MT

Annapolis, MD

3h ago

Former naval officer and pilot... I worry about the crew communication and dynamics between the O-3 and the warrant. From what is published here, the warrant lacks an authoritative voice and the O-3 is incapable of getting on altitude and assimilating input being given. 200 feet is NOT 300 feet, etc. These altitude requirements are hard and cannot be mistaken and a helicopter has even less of an excuse to deviate than a fixed wing aircraft. They both seem completely task saturated and absolutely unprepared to fly such a sensitive, exacting mission. And throw in night vision goggles on top of it. That the Army was sending such an inexperienced crew (and it doesn't matter how many hours someone has if they lack time in the DCA airspace) is idiotic. Yes, other aspects could be better, the entire airspace needs to be improved, but this crew was ultimately the weakest link in this fiasco.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5717144&forum_id=2#48885132)