Investigators have revealed that the crew aboard an Army helicopter involved in a tragic midair collision with an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C. may have experienced faulty altitude readings and missed essential air traffic control instructions prior to the January 29 crash, which claimed the lives of all 67 people on both aircraft. National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy indicated that an interrupted radio transmission could have left the helicopter crew uncertain about their required course of action. Specifically, the phrase “pass behind the” was obscured by simultaneous microphone use.
Further complicating the situation, there were conflicting altitude readings within the helicopter’s cockpit, with some crew members reporting an altitude of 91 metres while others stated 122 metres. Investigators are looking into potential inaccuracies with the helicopter’s altimeters, which utilize both barometric pressure and radio signals. The helicopter was on a check flight with night vision goggles, which possibly hindered the pilots’ peripheral vision.
The American Airlines jet attempted an evasive manoeuvre just before the collision, angling sharply upward. The accident marks the deadliest aviation crash in the U.S. since 2001. Both the experienced helicopter crew and the jet’s passengers were involved in various activities, from hunting trips to skating camps. President Trump later expressed his opinion on the incident, attributing some blame to the helicopter’s altitude.