Reagan airport crash 1/29/25
- Thread starter kansasdad
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RealMuddyboots
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I just read that the control tower is suppose to have a staff of 30. It has been at 19 for quite a while (years)?causing union to raise hell.,It was also stated that controllers are assigned for jets or helos not both at the same time which what it was at time of accident. I am sure this staffing issue is going to be one heck of a pass the buck blame game.
Sully the pilot that landed in Hudson from bird strike stated this airport requires specific training above the normal. Whatever that means.
I flew in and out of there on business quite a bit in early 2000's and it was a pita then.
The tragedy end result is the horrible impact on families of the jet victims and the helo crew. Its impossible to fathom the pain from an accident by most accounts HTH can this happen.
God bless the people who perished and families who are trying to cope with their loss.
Sully the pilot that landed in Hudson from bird strike stated this airport requires specific training above the normal. Whatever that means.
I flew in and out of there on business quite a bit in early 2000's and it was a pita then.
The tragedy end result is the horrible impact on families of the jet victims and the helo crew. Its impossible to fathom the pain from an accident by most accounts HTH can this happen.
God bless the people who perished and families who are trying to cope with their loss.
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I’m done giving warnings.
I’m just going to start handing out 1-2 week vacations.
Everyone else, thank you for keeping it on track.
I’m just going to start handing out 1-2 week vacations.
Everyone else, thank you for keeping it on track.
EKYHunter
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What a terrible day. Praying for all involved.
brownbear932008
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Not the news I wanted to hear after waking up. That DC airspace is truly unbelievable to witness. Prayers to all the families that have been dealing with such a terrible tragedy.
ismith
Well-known member
I just talked to my Son (USAF rotary wing pilot/instructor) via phone as he flew many security missions up and down the Potomac in a chopper. At the Wilson bridge rotary wing height should be 400' and when flying the river route it should be 150' when close to Reagan airport. He is saddened and puzzled why the Blackhawk was flying so high in commercial airspace.
ismith
Well-known member
Human factors, no doubt.
ismith
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Nameless Range
Well-known member
Just terrible. Teenagers, children, mothers, sons. All at once.
Maclean wrote that first and last question of life is “Why?”. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of that, but it’s shameful that some seem to be shoehorning politics into a tragedy before the bodies are cold.
Sad.
Maclean wrote that first and last question of life is “Why?”. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of that, but it’s shameful that some seem to be shoehorning politics into a tragedy before the bodies are cold.
Sad.
I just gave one person a permanent vacation from HT. If people can’t keep the politics and petty bullshit out of a thread of this level of tragedy, we don’t need you here.
ismith
Well-known member
McClean, but yeah.
I hate how they continually try to pin this on the controller. It's not his job to hand hold pilots. The UH-60 reported traffic in sight and requested visual separation. The controller even came back for a confirmation with the UH60 after the CA alarm sounds.
I'm completely biased at this point but it's sounding more and more like the blackhawk broke ceiling and was nonchalant about confirming advised traffic. Controller gave the UH-60 the traffic's location and altitude.
While we are raising questions, I'll never understand why the military is allowed to run dark through some of these corridors. They should have to be in a TFR or a block to have their transponders off.
NDGuy
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Horrific, awful tragedy.
That's what happened to a coast guard c-130. They saw the first helicopter with its lights on but didn't see the others with it flying in formation because when in formation the others aren't required to have their lights on.
kodiakisland
Well-known member
Lot's of blame to go around, or more specifically areas to improve. As a GA pilot, my biggest question is why military aircraft don't have to use ADS-B in controlled space like every single other plane does. Even my Super Cub has ADS-B in and out. Why do they talk to ATC on a different wavelength? It would be good for pilots in the same space to hear the same conversation.
Lot's of questions left to be answered. I'm sure the helo had a specific corridor and ceiling limits, but what they were? If they were using NVG would severely limit their ability to see other traffic in a well lit city. ATC could have been more specific, but that may have been the usual for that ATC and helo traffic in the area.
Flying congested airspace at night is tough. Even when things go right. One or two mistakes along the way can lead to bad outcomes.
Last edited:
ismith
Well-known member
That controller will be far harder on himself than anyone else. It's really not about placing blame but trying to prevent something like this from happening again. Nobody wants to die in an air-to-air collision.
ismith
Well-known member
How so?
Maybe I heard wrong but the training is supposed to be in dark in a congested air area. I likely shouldn’t have commented.
