Summary
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding hearings to investigate a midair collision in January between a military helicopter and a passenger plane. This accident killed all 67 people onboard both aircraft. Investigators identified several possible factors that led to the crash, but the exact cause is still unknown. A final report is expected next year.
Key Facts
- The crash involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane.
- All 67 people on the two aircraft died in the accident.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was warned about heavy helicopter traffic near Reagan Airport but did not add a caution to pilot charts.
- The helicopter was flying higher than the altimeter showed, causing investigators to test other helicopters for similar issues.
- There are new altimeter technologies that provide more accurate readings than those in older helicopters like the Black Hawk.
- The acceptable margin of error for the helicopter's altimeters is within 70 to 100 feet.
- Concerns were raised about insufficient separation distances between helicopters and planes near Reagan Airport.
- In the minutes before the crash, one air traffic controller was managing communication with multiple aircraft, including the Black Hawk and other planes and helicopters.
