Altitude Deviation Examined in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash Investigation

A recent crash involving a military Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane near Reagan National Airport has raised concerns, particularly regarding the helicopter's altitude at the time of the incident. Publicly accessible flight data analyzed by CBS News indicates that the helicopter was operating at about 400 feet, significantly exceeding the legal flight ceiling of 200 feet over the Potomac River, an altitude crucial for maintaining safety in a busy airspace shared with commercial aircraft. This discrepancy raises fundamental questions about the circumstances leading to the crash, marking this event as one of the most significant air disasters in over a decade.

An inquiry into the crash emphasizes the helicopter pilots' familiarity with the area, prompting experts like Greg Feith, a former senior investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to question why the aircraft was flying at an altitude 150 to 200 feet too high. The NTSB, along with other authorities, is expected to delve into the helicopter's flight records, including the functionality of its altimeters, and whether environmental factors like wind played any role in the incident. The Secretary of Defense has stated that the investigation will focus on whether the helicopter maintained the appropriate altitude leading up to the crash.

This incident echoes past occurrences at Reagan National Airport, where a number of near-miss situations involving helicopters have been recorded since 2005. For instance, a report from a 2015 near collision noted a helicopter coming within close proximity to an airplane during its descent. Past incidents suggest a potential pattern of altitude-related discrepancies, which further complicate the investigation into the recent crash. Investigators, including former FAA accident director Steven B. Wallace, anticipate that the helicopter's altitude will be a central aspect of their examination.

Aviation safety experts, including Feith, also point out the necessity of evaluating whether the flight crew utilized night vision goggles, which might have influenced their altitude awareness. The flight data recorders from both aircraft are believed to be crucial for understanding the exact chain of events leading to the crash, as authorities confirmed their recovery from the Potomac River. Had the helicopter adhered to the 200-foot altitude requirement, it likely would not have intersected with the regional jet’s flight path, showcasing the critical nature of adhering to established flight ceilings.