29-04-2025
New York Times report reveals critical mistakes made ahead of deadly DCA midair collision; aviation litigator weighs in
WASHINGTON () — A revealed that numerous missteps were made ahead of the Jan. 29 midair collision that killed 67 people near the Reagan National Airport (DCA).
An Army Black Hawk helicopter, manned by three soldiers conducting a training mission, collided with American Airlines flight 5342, which was en route from Wichita, Kan.
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A New York Times investigation found that the Black Hawk crew, communicating with the DCA tower, requested to fly by visual separation, allowing the pilots to fly by sight.
The investigation also found that prior to the collision, the instructor aboard the Black Hawk told the pilot to steer to the left, but the pilot did not, crashing into the airliner seconds later. It is unclear why the pilot did not adhere to the instruction.
Aviation litigator Jim Brauchle said the flight instructor could have taken over the controls.
'At any time, he could have taken over the aircraft and maneuvered it out of the way,' he said.
At the time of the crash, the air traffic control tower wasn't properly staffed.
The investigation reveals that a staffer was allowed to leave early, prior to the crash, leaving multiple people to handle multiple roles.
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