Former Black Hawk Pilot Identifies Three Key Factors Behind DC Mid-Air Collision

Former U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot Elizabeth McCormick has identified three critical factors that may have contributed to the recent mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.

1. Insufficient Crew Members on the Black Hawk Helicopter

McCormick notes that the Black Hawk was operating with a three-person crew, which is the minimum required for missions. However, for optimal safety during visual flight operations—where pilots navigate primarily by sight rather than instruments—a four-person crew is recommended. This configuration includes two pilots and two crew chiefs, enhancing visibility and situational awareness by allowing monitoring on both sides and the rear of the aircraft. The absence of a fourth crew member may have reduced the helicopter crew’s ability to effectively scan for other aircraft, increasing the risk of collision.

2. Deviation from Designated Flight Altitude

The designated altitude for helicopter routes around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 200 feet. Preliminary reports suggest that the Black Hawk was flying between 350 and 400 feet at the time of the collision, placing it within the flight path typically used by commercial airliners during approach and departure. This altitude deviation could have led to the helicopter encroaching into controlled airspace reserved for fixed-wing aircraft, thereby increasing the likelihood of a mid-air collision.

3. Ambiguities in Air Traffic Control Communications

McCormick highlights potential issues in the clarity of communications between air traffic control (ATC) and the Black Hawk crew. ATC recordings indicate that controllers inquired whether the Black Hawk crew had visual contact with the CRJ 700 passenger jet. The crew’s response was, “We have the aircraft,” which may have lacked the specificity needed to confirm they had identified the correct aircraft. This ambiguity could have led to misidentification, with the helicopter crew possibly focusing on a different aircraft and remaining unaware of the impending collision with the American Airlines flight.

McCormick emphasizes the importance of avoiding politicization of this tragedy and instead focusing on implementing changes to prevent future occurrences. She advocates for the U.S. Army to mandate a minimum crew of four for Black Hawk helicopters operating under visual flight rules, including two crew chiefs, to enhance safety and situational awareness.

As investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Department of Defense continue, these insights from an experienced Black Hawk pilot provide valuable perspectives on potential factors contributing to the tragic incident.