The Army helicopter involved in the collision with a commercial plane over Washington, D.C., in January had incorrect altitude readings, leading to the aircraft getting too close, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) findings.
The NTSB began hearings in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the crash between an American Airlines plane from Wichita, Kansas, and a Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport that resulted in 67 fatalities.
Air traffic controllers had reportedly raised concerns about helicopter traffic near the airport for years leading up to the crash, but issues regarding the Black Hawk helicopter’s route were not addressed. The Federal Aviation Administration also allegedly did not make route changes or warn pilots, despite 85 near misses in the past three years at the airport.
During the hearing, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy criticized the bureaucratic nature of the system, expressing frustration over the lack of safety measures.
Army and FAA representatives attempted to shift blame towards air traffic controllers and the lack of separation between planes landing at the airport and helicopters flying on approved routes. However, they later acknowledged that the routes were not necessarily designed to ensure separation.
The Army admitted that Black Hawk altimeters could be more than 100 feet off but claimed that their pilots aimed to maintain altitude within 100 feet of the limit.
Lawyer Bob Clifford, representing several victims’ families, criticized the hearing for the lack of acceptance of responsibility and accountability.
The NTSB revealed during the hearing how small the margin of error was for helicopters flying the route taken by the Black Hawk that night. The flight data recorder showed discrepancies in altitude readings, with the helicopter flying higher than indicated by the altimeter.
Army officials expressed concerns about the limited separation distances around the airport and suggested retiring older Black Hawk models for newer versions.
The NTSB report highlighted communication issues between the air traffic controller and various aircraft in the moments leading up to the crash. Concerns were also raised about the use of night vision goggles limiting visibility.
Investigations showed failures in equipment and procedures that could have prevented the collision, prompting calls for improved safety measures.
Sen. Ted Cruz introduced legislation to enhance aircraft location data technology, aiming to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Overall, the hearing shed light on systemic issues contributing to the tragic incident, emphasizing the need for improved safety protocols and communication in aviation.
