It is still unknown which factors have caused a fatal collision between the US Army Cikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk and American Airlines 5342 on January 29, but some theories have begun to appear. Masu.
Government officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegoses and President Donald Trump, on January 30, a high -ceiling of a spinning wing aircraft running along the growth of the Potomac River near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It seems to show that it may have exceeded. 。
In this case, the US Army Sikorsky UH -60 Black Hawk collided with American Airlines 5342 -MHIRJ CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA airlines from Washington, Kansas. The accident killed 67 people, including 60 Passengers of CRJ700, four crew members, and three U.S. soldiers, a helicopter.
“We expect that the investigation will quickly determine whether the aircraft is in the corridor and whether it was appropriate at the time of the incident,” said Hepagess.
The corridor is frequently used by military helicopters, and the restriction is to ensure safe separation due to commercial aircraft in crowded airspace.
Other proposals include misconceptions of the approaching commercial aircraft by a blackhawk crew. This is probably due to the crew who is using the night vision goggles.
The record of air traffic control communication has revealed that the 5342 flight was directed to another runway in Washington National just before landing. It's not unusual, but the retired UH-60 pilot tells the AP communication that the approach to the runway 33 has been approaching a helicopter flight corridor.
“I had exactly the same case a few years ago,” said Darrell Ferrer, a former National Security Corps, Darrell Ferrer. “There was a commercial jet landing in 33, and I couldn't see him. I lost him with the light of the city.”
Washington National Airport is located in the middle of a dense city, including Alexandria in Washington and Virginia, and nearby cities in Arlington. Many highways cross the area.
“The moving light is confused with the ground light,” Feller pointed out.
The approach to the runway 33 would have been placed at an angle diagonally to the UH-60 approaching the CRJ700 coming in. In other words, he adds that the local jet approach light does not directly point to the helicopter crew.
The collision occurred at around 20:48 local time, and the Blackhawk crew is running a regular nighttime skilled flight with Night Vision Goggles (NVGS), a standard practice of US military night flights. Ta.
Some experts speculate that the darker equipment could have contributed to the disaster. Goggles work by enhancing the surrounding light sources that are too thin with the naked eye such as stars. Wearing in a bright environment such as the cityscape can quickly make the NVG blind and blind.
“Goggles actually make it worse,” Ferrer describes the area around Washington National. “In many cases, we pass the goggles over the area and turn them upside down.”
He added that a large amount of commercial air traffic coming to Waterfront Airport also brought challenges, probably leading the pilot to incorrect the inbound flight.
Since the UH-60 crew remains unknown, it is advised on the existence of the CRJ because the jet is preparing to manipulate another aircraft to change the runway. I was. Using the helicopter call sign “PAT25”, the controller is called “Immediately south” of the Woodro Wilson Bridge. The aircraft is identified as the CRJ, given the altitude, and the jet is “runway 33 (preparation)”. I said.
The helicopter crew answered that the traffic was “visible” and demanded a visual separation. This is a procedure that the pilot is responsible for maintaining a safe distance.
A surveyor at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that it will not publish a preliminary report on at least 30 days of collision.
NTSB has already collected the cockpit audio recorder and flight data recorder from CRJ700, but has not yet collected devices from the Army UH-60.
According to unpalculated reports, the two Black Hawk pilots had 1,500 hours of flight time between them.
Pentagon has not disclosed the name of the deceased UH-60, but has confirmed that her husband is one of the pilots, where her husband is one of the pilots. Governor Mississippi, the hometown of EEVs, confirmed the same.
According to Fox News reports, the eaves recorded a rotating wing flight time of about 1,000 hours, quoting an unknown information source. FOX further reports that UH-60's EAVES co-pilot was a female executive with 500 hours of flight time. Secretary of Defense said that the co -pilot was a captain and a middle -term career rank for US military officers.
Usually, the officers of the warrant are assigned to highly technical specialized fields such as aviation and geographical information. Aviation Organization officers teach, train, train experienced officers, such as the captain and middle EU, and teach them that they are usually responsible for more management. It is common.
The third personal identity on the UH -60 -the chief of the crew has been confirmed as the staff of the staff Ryan Ohara.
Robert Isom, the highest executive of American Airlines, says the CRJ700 pilot has gained considerable experience.
According to ISOM, the captain of the local Jet has been flying to PSA for six years for six years. “These are experienced pilots.”
