The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger plane over Washington on Wednesday night. It was crewed by an experienced team of three who were performing a routine training flight over familiar territory.
The helicopter was a Black Hawk, which has participated in numerous U.S. military operations, including the death of Osama bin Laden and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The crew consisted of an instructor pilot with around a thousand flight hours and a co-pilot with 500 hours of experience.
The passenger jet involved in the accident was a Bombardier CRJ700, with 60 passengers and four crew members on board. It is believed that none of the 67 people on board both aircraft survived the crash in the icy Potomac River.
The Black Hawk is an aircraft manufactured by Sikorsky and used widely around the world. On the other hand, the regional jet was operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. All crew members involved were military personnel conducting a training flight.
Investigators are trying to determine what caused the collision and are reviewing communication recordings and technical data. The Secretary of Defense mentioned that a possible elevation issue is being investigated. The crew was equipped with night vision goggles, although their use was not mandatory.
Search and rescue efforts continue as the circumstances of this tragic air accident in Washington are clarified. The Chief of Staff of the Army Aviation Directorate and other officials did not address the controversial statements about diversity and inclusion made by President Trump in relation to the accident.
