Another horrific air crash

Just read it really terrible. So sorry for the families of the people who have been killed. I can't help wondering why the helicopter was so close to the runway where the plane was making its descent.

The crash was a very low level 150 ft has been mentioned, it sounds like both aircraft were under ATC control the helicopter was told to look out for the airliner.
He probably mistook another aircraft for the one he crashed into, the airliner would have been descending the helicopter would not have see it from below or rear at night

It was windy and the airliner requested a different runway, ATC knew the helicopter was in the area, there was several minutes when the helicopter could have been given instructions to hold or change track

A terrible tragedy.

On BBC breakfast it's been said that ATC were unable to get response from the helicopter pilot.

Sorry, I started thread before I saw yours.

Seeing a lot about the Washington air crash on the news. (
How dreadful for everyone on board and families...
30 dead so far.

But all I've seen from trump is 'terrible accident' and speculating on 'who's to blame?'.

(With a comment from an air control expert that he isn't an expert here)
Where's the sympathy?

Smileless2012

A terrible tragedy.

On BBC breakfast it's been said that ATC were unable to get response from the helicopter pilot.

That makes sense the pilot could have been talking to his own base which was very close. There should have been a collision warning system on both aircraft, even if the pilot didn’t see the airliner there should have been an alarm long before he got close.
I’m hearing there was an open helicopter corridor, maybe the airliner was too low or helicopter too high

Terrible, 28 bodies recovered so far and analysis of what went wrong continues.

It seems that all 68 people involved will have died.

Sky News are showing the moment of impact and warning people that they ‘might find it distressing’. I turned the tv off straight away. Why do news programmes show things like that? So insensitive. It makes me so angry.

The truth will emerge eventually- meanwhile best to avoid speculation out of respect for the bereaved families.

Just hours before the Washington D.C. crash, Thomas Schaller, Professor of Political Science at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, took to X to give a warning about the hiring freeze. He wrote: "An FAA employee I know confirms agency already lacks sufficient air traffic controllers. The so-called 'buyouts' and other attacks on federal employees won’t help. Remember that fact when the flight delays (crashes?) commence and Trumpers start falsely blaming DEI or Biden.

"The bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directs the Administration to hire the maximum number of air traffic controllers. That’s what the law says, so the Administration must rescind this ridiculous executive order," he said in a statement. He added: “Hiring air traffic controllers is the number one safety issue according to the entire aviation industry...I'm not surprised by the President’s dangerous and divisive actions, but the Administration must reverse course. Let’s get back to aviation safety and allow the FAA to do its job protecting the flying public.”

This morning information is saying the helicopter “corridor is only 200ft high above the river and the helicopter was at 300ft, pilots fly with night vision goggles.
That 100ft is incredibly small just 1 1/2 cricket pitches, those night flights should be stopped, it was an accident waiting to happen

There is an enquiry going on.
Late last night I watched the the update to the press from the investigation (on CNN) and it's clear there are too many things to look at to be speculating.

Here's a live update feed - over 40 people recovered now including the three people from the helicopter-

edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/plane-crash-washington-dc-trump-01-31-25/index.html

We will know more when the black boxes have been examined. Don't let's jump to conclusions.

Predictably, Trump has come up with a nonsensical way of discrediting the previous administration and he blames "diversity" for the accident. The BBC is investigating his claims and, so far, they have not anything to substantiate this. When asked to clarify why he sees a link, Trump replied "common sense".

I did wonder, initially, if this was about the Phillidephia crash to be honest.

a medevac jet with six people on board — including a pediatric patient — crashed in northeast Philadelphia on Friday night, causing a fiery explosion, according to authorities and video from the scene CNN

Saw it on the news, upsetting to watch and read..

Yes, looks like plane failure just after taking off - empty skies - just hope Trump and co are respectful on the Philly one and wait for reports.

I cannot even bear to open the link as someone told me there is actual footage available, which just desensitises us to the fact lots of people have died and lots of people will be affected by it

He will love the Phillidephia one as I think it was ultimately going to Mexico.
😕