The crucial errors that led to fatal Washington DC plane crash
A new report reveals fatal errors leading to the January 29 mid-air collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane in Washington DC, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft.
The Black Hawk pilot, Captain Rebecca M. Lobach, failed to follow her co-pilot's instruction to change course, a crucial error that put them on a collision course with the passenger jet, an investigation by the New York Times found.
Communication issues, including disrupted radio transmissions between air traffic control and the helicopter crew, further compounded the situation, the investigation found.
The helicopter's location tracking technology was reportedly switched off due to US Army protocol, hindering efforts to prevent the collision.
Air traffic control errors also contributed to the tragedy, the Times said, as controllers failed to provide timely emergency instructions.
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