Almost exactly three months after the tragic January 29 mid-air crash involving an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67, new information regarding the moments before the collision has surfaced. Reportedly, failure in communication might have led to the deadly disaster.
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According to The New York Times, Capt. Rebecca Lobach missed an order issued by co-pilot Andrew Eaves. Eaves, who was supervising the training mission being carried out at the time of the collision, had instructed Lobach to change course to avoid the incoming American Airlines jet.
Furthermore, it was also reported that the air traffic controller's instructions were unintentionally cut off by pilots. Reportedly, they pressed buttons to talk over the radio. This meant that vital information regarding the passenger jet's location was likely missed.
Specifically, it is believed that both Lobach and Eaves were pressing the microphone button while they were being instructed that the American Airlines plane was "circling." This took place at 8:46 p.m., as Eaves received approval to perform "visual separation." This allows a pilot to navigate around another aircraft by using their own visuals rather than relying on air traffic controllers' guidance.
Mid-Air Crash Details
Adding to the disaster, it was previously revealed that the Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B). This system allows an aircraft to broadcast its position to air traffic controllers and other aircraft. At the time of the incident, the helicopter was flying at a higher altitude than permitted, as per the New York Post.
Eaves's order came seconds before the tragic mid-air crash. At the same time, an air traffic controller asked, "PAT two-five, do you have the CRJ in sight?"
This ended up being the last communication between the U.S. Army helicopter and air traffic controllers.
Exactly one second before 8:48 p.m. on January 29, the Black Hawk collided with American Airlines Flight 5342. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. As a result, 67 people died: 64 American Airlines passengers and three U.S. Army soldiers, including Rebecca Lobach and Andrew Eaves. The tragedy became the deadliest U.S. air disaster in a quarter of a century.
