NTSB investigates flight training protocols after deadly air collision

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held hearings this Thursday concerning a tragic air collision that occurred in January, leading to the deaths of 67 individuals. This incident involved a military Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the United States. During the hearings, NTSB officials questioned representatives from the Army, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and air traffic controllers about the operational protocols in place during the incident. The hearings aim to scrutinize the aviation safety procedures and air traffic management to prevent future tragedies. Former operations manager Clark Allen was questioned about the training received by air traffic controllers, which includes the protocol for flagging supervisors for additional help when overwhelmed by pressing duties. However, it became apparent that there is no specific training for supervisors to proactively monitor controllers for excessive workloads, raising concerns about the overall safety practices in air traffic management. The issue of high turnover rates among air traffic controllers was also acknowledged as a significant problem that might contribute to errors and communication failures. The pilots of the Black Hawk helicopter were reportedly unaware of their altitude or proximity to the passenger aircraft, which may have been exacerbated by malfunctioning altimeters on the helicopters. Nick Fuller, FAA’s acting deputy chief operating officer, emphasized that maintaining visual separation in the air is primarily the pilot’s responsibility, although air traffic controllers will do their best to provide necessary information. Fuller reaffirmed that he felt it was safe to fly in and out of DCA, endorsing the training and professionalism of the controllers. During a previous session, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy indicated that some FAA personnel recognized there was a potential risk with U.S. Army helicopters operating in proximity to passenger planes near the airport. Furthermore, it was revealed that communications from air traffic control to the helicopter were compromised, contributing to the collision. While some may rush to conclude pilot error as the primary cause, Homendy suggested that the investigation would consider all factors and that there might be significant elements beyond pilot error that contributed to this disaster. The outcome of these hearings could lead to changes in protocol and improvements in aviation safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.