Staff Reports
In a scene that could have been straight out of a Hollywood disaster flick, a commercial jet collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The collision, which occurred Wednesday night near Reagan National Airport, resulted in a tragic outcome: no survivors. What should have been a routine evening for air traffic now raises serious questions about the competence of those in charge of our skies.
Former President Trump took to Truth Social to express his disbelief over the mishap. He pointed out that the airplane was on a perfectly normal approach trajectory, while the Black Hawk, instead of doing any sensible maneuvering, decided to approach the plane head-on like it was trying to play chicken. The skies were clear, visibility was good, and the lights on the passenger jet were blazing. One can only wonder about the lack of situational awareness displayed by the helicopter crew and why the air traffic control didn’t sound an alarm in time.
As aviation experts delve into heaps of data—including air traffic control transcripts and eyewitness accounts—there seems to be an air of expectancy among the public. After all, this incident took place in one of the busiest airspaces in the nation. According to analysis by a former British Army pilot, it’s become clear that the passenger aircraft had been cleared to land—an indication that it had the right of way. Apparently, common sense took a holiday for the Black Hawk, which failed to yield.
The air traffic control records reveal that the helicopter crew was instructed to visually identify the jet and clearly advised to pass behind it. Instead, they veered dangerously close, leading to a catastrophic collision moments later. This collective failure raises eyebrows. Why wasn’t the helicopter crew doing their due diligence? If they had been paying attention, they would have anticipated where their responsibilities lay.
Great information. An expert pilot explains some basic aviation rules that should have prevented this tragedy.https://t.co/sXdnl2OK6Q
— Jenna Ellis 🐊 (@realJennaEllis) January 30, 2025
A crucial aspect of aviation safety is understanding the right-of-way rules, particularly in controlled airspace. Once cleared for landing, the passenger jet should have had priority over other aircraft, including military helicopters. The Black Hawk should have yielded; unfortunately, it appears they thought they were playing an intense game of “don’t get caught.” The investigation is likely to press the question of why they didn’t follow procedure to check in with air traffic control before crossing into an active flight path. The protocol here is as basic as it gets: know your clearance and respect it.
With no survivors to tell the tale, investigators will have to untangle this web of confusion using the flight data recorders and radar tracking—which, one can hope, don’t require a Ph.D. to understand. As recovery efforts continue in the Potomac, the families of those lost are left in the limbo of despair, seeking answers. It’s a stark reminder that, when flying, just because you wear a uniform doesn’t automatically grant one the wisdom to navigate the skies safely.
