Military negligence contributes to deadly helicopter and jet collision in D.C

On February 2025, a tragic midair collision occurred in Washington, D.C., between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft. Investigations have revealed that the helicopter pilots were likely hindered in their ability to see the lights on the passenger plane due to the night vision goggles they were using. This limitation may have obscured vital cues to assess the direction of the incoming aircraft, contributing to the crash. The jet was identified as Flight 5342, which was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport when it collided with the helicopter. Experts have suggested that the pilots may have struggled to distinguish the aircraft from ground lights due to their visual constraints in low-light conditions. In addition, testimonies presented during the National Transportation Safety Board hearings indicated that the pilots might not have known to look for a plane landing on a less commonly used secondary runway. The number of factors that could have contributed to this disaster, including the altitude maintenance issues of the Black Hawk, were underscored during the hearings. Significant failures have been traced back to both the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Notably, the altitude measurement systems on the Black Hawk were reported to have inaccuracies of up to 100 feet yet continued to be accepted as safe. The helicopter was also operating with outdated technology that made it more challenging to maintain a proper flight altitude. The testimony of Mary Schiavo, former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General, emphasized the shared responsibility of the military and the FAA in contributing to the conditions leading up to the collision. She expressed concern regarding the lax oversight and a lack of urgency to address known traffic hazards near the airport. Additional questions have arisen regarding the FAA's protocol for alcohol testing of air traffic controllers following the crash. During the hearings, FAA Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called for improvements in safety measures, pointing out warnings about potential hazards that had been disregarded for years. This incident marks the first in a series of near misses and crashes that have heightened the sense of urgency among officials and the public regarding aviation safety. The final report from the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to be published next year, shedding more light on the events that transpired and the systemic issues within the aviation oversight.