NTSB Warns of Lingering Risks After Helicopter and American Airlines Plane Collide in Washington
The aviation accident in Washington, D.C., has exposed a latent crisis in U.S. airspace safety. On January 29, a U.S. Army Black Hawk military helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342, which was approaching the airport from Wichita, Kansas. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of 67 people, is considered the deadliest in the country in over two decades.
A Neglected Problem: 15,214 Previous Incidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed alarming data. Between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 reported incidents of dangerously close encounters between aircraft at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In 85 of these cases, the separation was critical: less than 200 feet vertically and 1,500 feet horizontally. These numbers suggest that the January 29 collision was not an isolated event but the result of a persistent and inadequately addressed risk.
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Key Accident Factors
The NTSB’s preliminary report identifies several determining factors in the tragedy:
- Communication Failure: The Black Hawk did not receive instructions to remain behind the commercial aircraft, possibly due to radio interference.
- Inadequate Altitude: The helicopter was flying at 325 feet, exceeding the permitted altitude for the area.
- Use of Night Vision Goggles: The Black Hawk crew relied on these devices, which may have impaired their perception of the surroundings.
- Insufficient Air Traffic Control: At the time of the accident, only one controller was managing two positions in the control tower, while others were on break.
Urgent Measures and Warnings
In response, the Department of Transportation, led by Sean Duffy, imposed a temporary ban on helicopter traffic over the Potomac River and near the airport until March 31. However, the NTSB insists that this restriction should be permanent. “The current distances between planes and helicopters in this area represent an intolerable risk,” warned Jennifer Homendy, the board’s chairperson.
Among the key recommendations, the NTSB urges the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish alternative routes for helicopters and to enhance air traffic control oversight.
A Tragedy with a High Human Cost
The impact of this disaster has been devastating. Among the victims were 28 figure skaters and their coaches, who were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The deceased included teenagers Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Han, and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
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