Investigators are looking for answers following a devastating mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The accident raises significant questions regarding airspace safety as regulators look at flight paths, collision avoidance technology, and possible blind spots.
An American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed in midair Wednesday night near Washington Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 persons on board in a terrible tragedy that has shocked the aviation community. Now, investigators are putting in endless effort to figure out what went wrong.
The collision happened in one of the nation’s busiest airspaces, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has opened a comprehensive inquiry into it.
Experts are examining if the aircraft’s collision avoidance systems were operating correctly and whether either was operating outside of its assigned territory.
According to aviation lawyer Jim Brauchle, “there is very little room for error in this complex airspace.” There can be as little as 200 feet between aircraft, even when they are in their proper locations.
Reports suggest that the helicopter crew may have been using night vision goggles, which could have produced visual blind spots, suggesting that nighttime conditions contributed to the disaster.
Complete responses can take a year or longer, although a preliminary report is anticipated in 30 days.
Although this incident highlights the urgent need for stricter safety standards to prevent similar deaths, safety experts stress that air travel is still safe in the interim.
