The crew of the helicopter that collided into the air with an American Airlines jet near the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., may not have heard instructions from an air traffic controller passing behind the plane, investigators said. .
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman Jennifer Homendy said that recordings from the cockpit of the Black Hawk helicopter could have missed important guidance just before the January 29 crash. He said he suggested.
Homedy said the helicopter was on the check flight when the pilot was being tested for using night vision goggles and flying with musical instruments. Investigators believe the crew were wearing night vision goggles while flying.
The crash was the most fatal plane crash in the United States since 2001. The jet crashed into a New York City neighbourhood shortly after takeoff, killing five people on board.
Homedy said the Black Hawk crew had never heard the word “pass behind” while sending from the controller because the helicopter's microphone key was depressed at the time.
At one point during the flight before the crash, the helicopter pilot called for the Black Hawk to be 300 feet, while the instructor pilot said the helicopter was 400 feet, Homedy said.
“At this point, I don't know why there is a contradiction between the two,” Homundi said.
