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New York Times
2 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
The Biggest Unanswered Questions About the Reagan Airport Crash
On Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board will convene for three days of hearings into the Jan. 29 midair collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. The N.T.S.B., an independent government agency that investigates transportation accidents, has already issued its initial findings on the facts and timeline of the episode, in which an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into an American Airlines commercial flight above the Potomac River. The board's final report, which will identify the cause of the accident, is not expected until next year. But this week's hearings, which will include sworn testimony from witnesses to the accident and parties to the crash, including the Army, will provide the clearest picture yet of what went wrong. Here are some of the key questions that have yet to be answered: Why was the Black Hawk flying too high? According to the N.T.S.B.'s preliminary report, the pilot flying the Black Hawk, Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, was told to descend to 200 feet, which was the mandated altitude for helicopters on the route. Yet she evidently had difficulty maintaining that level, putting the Black Hawk in a position where it crashed into the plane at roughly 300 feet. Was Captain Lobach having trouble controlling the helicopter? Or were her altimeters — instruments that measure altitude — not working properly? What was the conversation aboard the Black Hawk? The N.T.S.B. has provided a concise and paraphrased version of what it deems to be key moments from the cockpit voice recordings aboard the Army helicopter, which was carrying a crew of three: Captain Lobach; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, her instructor on the training flight; and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara, the crew chief, or technical expert. What we don't know is whether the crew members had any idea how close they were to a catastrophic event, or how concerned they were about either their altitude or a potential problem with their altimeters, which were providing differing readings to Captain Lobach and Mr. Eaves. How concerned did they seem about these factors? Is there any evidence of a last-minute attempt to change altitude or course? What was going on in the air traffic control tower at National Airport? Investigators with the N.T.S.B. have found that five air traffic controllers were working various positions at the time of the crash. However, one of the positions had been combined with another to handle both helicopter and airplane traffic hours earlier. The Federal Aviation Administration, which runs the National Airport control tower, has described the staffing that night as 'not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic.' The helicopter position is not typically combined with another position until 9:30 in the evening, people briefed on the practice have told The New York Times, but a supervisor in the tower that night allowed a controller to leave early, prompting the early combination, those people have also said. When, precisely, did that person leave and why? And was the controller who was left performing both positions feeling fatigued or overtaxed by the double duty? How big of a problem was Runway 33? While the American Airlines flight was in its final stretch, the control tower asked its pilots to pivot their course from Runway 1, National Airport's most commonly used arrivals runway, to an alternative, Runway 33. The pilots agreed, putting the airplane on a landing trajectory that risked placing it dangerously close to approaching helicopter traffic. The N.T.S.B. has said that Runway 33 is used for flight arrivals only 4 percent of the time. Austin Roth, a retired Army Black Hawk instructor pilot who flew those routes many times, said in an interview with The Times that he doubted that the Army crew would have been prepared for a Runway 33 landing, given that runway's rare use. Considering all those factors, should the American Airlines crew have refused to land on Runway 33? Was the Black Hawk crew aware of the Runway 33 traffic path it should have been watching? More broadly, why did the F.A.A. allow helicopters to even operate on the route the Black Hawk was flying, when Runway 33 was in use for a landing? Would a real-time aircraft location broadcasting system have made a difference? Army officials sought, and received, permission to fly helicopters in the National Airport airspace without using a system known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, or ADS-B Out. Concerned lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who is the chairman of the Senate's transportation committee, have flagged the lack of ADS-B as a potentially key contributor to the crash, but the Army has insisted it would not have helped. Is there evidence suggesting that the system would, in fact, have played a preventive role? An affirmative answer could have broad implications for the Army unit that operates flights in the area in the future.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Army's head of aviation, who faced questions over deadly midair collision, has new role
The U.S. Army's head of aviation has changed jobs to become chief of the branch's enterprise marketing office, a move that comes before the National Transportation Safety Board holds hearings next week on January's midair collision between an Army helicopter and a commercial jet that killed 67 people. Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman became chief of the Army Enterprise Marketing Office this month to focus on advertising and boosting recruitment, according to his new bio on an Army website. An Army spokesperson said the plan to move Braman was in place last fall and had nothing to do with the tragedy. The NTSB will hold three days of hearings, starting next Wednesday, on the crash near Reagan Washington National Airport. Braman was among those who faced criticism from some in Congress following the collision over the Potomac River, which was the nation's deadliest plane crash since November 2001. Braman acknowledged during a hearing in March that military helicopters were still flying over the nation's capital with a key system broadcasting their locations turned off during most missions because it deemed them sensitive. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called it 'shocking and deeply unacceptable' after earlier complaining that the general wasn't answering his questions. Braman repeatedly evaded Cruz's questions during the hearing about whether he would provide a copy of a memo laying out the policy for when Army helicopters fly with their locators turned off. Braman said he wasn't sure he could provide the memo because it was part of the investigation, but the head of the NTSB assured him that would be okay. Former NTSB and FAA crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti, who has followed the crash investigation and watched the hearing, welcomed the news that Braman is no longer leading the Army's aviation unit. 'Personally I think that's a good thing. That guy was just not playing ball in my view,' Guzzetti said. 'He was too protective and defensive and evasive and secretive. And that's not what you need in this type of situation.' Cruz, the Republican chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said in April that troubling missteps since the crash 'underscore the precarious situation in the nation's airspace.' Expressing frustration with the Army's refusal to turn over a memo detailing its flight rules, Cruz said during the hearing that any deaths resulting from another collision near Reagan Airport 'will be on the Army's hands.' He threatened the Army with a subpoena if it did not give the committee a copy of its memo. The fact that system wasn't activated in the Black Hawk that collided with the passenger jet is a key concern investigators have highlighted. With the location system turned off, the tower had to rely on radar for updates on the helicopter's position that only came once every four seconds instead of every second before the crash. 'It begs the question, what doesn't the Army want Congress or the American people to know about why it was flying partially blind to the other aircraft and to the air traffic controllers near DCA?' Cruz said, using the airport code for Reagan. 'This is not acceptable.'
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DC Fire and EMS respond to vehicle in water in Potomac River
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — D.C. Fire and EMS responded to a vehicle in the water on Wednesday night in the Potomac River, officials said. Car ends up on its roof after crash in Northwest DC D.C. Fire and EMS posted about the incident on X at 11:46 p.m. on July 16. The vehicle was located on the north side of the Roosevelt Bridge in the Potomac River. The vehicle was completely submerged, and the man who was driving was evaluated but declined treatment. Check for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
20-07-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Attack of the clever crows
Bruce M. Beehler is a naturalist and author, whose books include 'Birds of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia,' and, most recently, 'Flight of the Godwit.' Few of us who were of moviegoing age in 1963 can forget Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds,' a horror thriller set in Bodega Bay, California, that pitted flocks of angry crows, seagulls and other avians against Tippi Hedren and a cast of undeserving human victims. Particularly gruesome was the demise by crow attack of the likable schoolteacher played by Suzanne Pleshette. Though its thesis was preposterous, the film has gained in popularity over the years — adding to the already uncertain reputation of crows. In general, crows elicit mixed reviews. They are intelligent, clever and innovative birds. But they are also feisty, conniving and predatory — known to pluck songbird eggs (and nestlings) from nests while helpless parent birds stand by and watch. Crows also get their reputation from their curiosity and cunning, as well as their occasional interactions with humans. A recent development in our area demonstrates just how remarkable these birds really are. I live in the little southwestern Bethesda neighborhood of Brookmont, which overlooks Lock 5 of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River above Little Falls. Brookmont does not usually produce a great deal of excitement on the birding front. But lately, we have been seeing extraordinary behavior among our local fish crows (the lesser-known of the two crow species inhabiting the D.C. region). For the 30-plus years my wife and I have lived here, fish crows have maintained a low profile. That abruptly changed this past spring. We were surprised over several days to find small parties of crows boldly settling onto our back porch, perching here and there, and showing little fear. Our dog, Scout, noticed and disliked the crows' presence. When we opened the back door, she would launch out barking at these unwelcome visitors. We didn't know why the crows were on our porch, but we rightly assumed they were up to no good. Our nearest neighbors mentioned that they, too, were being visited by these crows, which they said were coming to harvest the stuffing from porch pillows to use in their nests. The birds actively attacked the pillows, snipping open the seams to get to the innards. When I queried the neighborhood via our email discussion group, more than 20 people replied that they had witnessed this same remarkable phenomenon. One even sent me photographs of the crows in action. The birds were no doubt collecting the pillow stuffing to use as a soft inner lining to their large stick nests, to cosset the eggs and nestlings. Traditionally, the fish crow's nest lining is provided by bark, moss, plant fibers, mammal hair or pine needles. Brookmont's porches, it seems, offered an abundance of outdoor cushions filled with an all-new, fluffy and readily available nesting material. That I was able to document dozens of reports of pillow-stuffing harvest from this spring indicates two interesting developments. First, one of the neighborhood crows must have somehow discovered the utility of pillow stuffing and learned how to crack open a cushion. Second, this clever bird must have then educated other crows in the neighborhood about this potential nesting-material bonanza. The pillow attacks are typically carried out by groups of four or five birds. I'm guessing these groups include experienced individuals who know the drill, and followers wishing to learn from the experienced birds. This is an example of cultural learning in the fish crow. Without speaking, one crow informs others about a novel discovery so that members of the neighborhood assemblage (some of whom are most likely close relatives) can benefit. The most famous historical example of avian cultural learning involved chickadee relatives — blue tits and great tits — in 1920s England. The birds learned to remove the caps from glass milk bottles delivered to front-door stoops in the early morning and then sip the bottle's tasty and nutritious contents. Over the decades, birds that learned this clever trick spread the knowledge to more and more of their fellows throughout Britain. More remarkably, this knowledge was eventually spread across the English Channel to Western Europe, proving that birds are more than unthinking avian robots and can indeed learn from one another. That this learning transmission can be rapid is demonstrated by the sudden spread of the fish crow pillow attacks across Brookmont. But there is more. Like the birds in 'The Birds,' which no longer feared the humans who had taken over their habitat, the small groups of fish crows visiting our porches are unusually bold, often standing their ground when homeowners approach. That's not the retiring fish crow we're used to! The birds' behavior might actually be evolving. If it is, let's hope their newfound audacity stops at outdoor furniture and doesn't develop into more Hitchcockian aggression. After all, these days, given humans' seemingly ever-growing onslaught against nature, our wild birds might have a legitimate reason to push back.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
This Historic D.C. Hotel Combines Political Scandal With World-Class Luxury
The Watergate Hotel officially opened in 1965. Washington, D.C. has amassed a staggering array of high-end hotels over the years, but when it comes to worldwide recognition, few properties can match The Watergate Hotel. Located on the banks of the Potomac River, this storied institution made international headlines back in 1972 with the eruption of the Watergate scandal, a political controversy that ultimately drove Richard Nixon to resign from the office of President—and in the modern era, the hotel offers the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with a wealth of luxurious, high-end amenities to enjoy during a stay. While the Watergate Complex has been a fixture of Foggy Bottom since the 1960s, the Watergate Hotel brings a touch of contemporary elegance to the site thanks to a lengthy 2016 renovation, with polished brass accents and vibrant red furniture found across the lobby. There are 336 rooms and suites found across the building, with options spanning from the spacious Deluxe River View rooms to the Rose Suite, a lavish two-room space that's adorned with a chandelier and vibrant pops of pink—but for a truly unique experience in the national capital, be sure to book a stay in the Scandal Suite. Located in the very same room where the Watergate scandal took place, these historic quarters are perfect for history buffs, boasting playful design elements like a manual typewriter, tape recorder and plenty of framed newspaper headlines. The Watergate Complex was designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti. In addition to lavish accommodations and an elegant design, the Watergate Hotel has also mastered the art of both mixology and gastronomy, with three high-end drinking and dining venues found across the property. For marvelous Potomac views paired with high-end cocktails, guests can make their way to Top of the Gate, while The Next Whisky Bar offers a wealth of top-quality spirits in a '60s-inspired space—and for gastronomes, no visit is complete without dining at Kingbird. While the restaurant itself is particularly picturesque—its hanging decorative eggs are meant to evoke the nest of the eastern kingbird, a native Washington species—it also comes equipped with a wealth of upscale Italian dishes, with options like saffron cioppino, grilled whole branzino and braised rabbit and truffle-infused ricotta cavatelli all gracing the menu. After a few days spent exploring Washington's top attractions, you'll certainly need some time to unwind—and fortunately, the Watergate Hotel offers an oasis of tranquility in the form of the Argentta Spa. Upon arrival, visitors are welcome to soak in the heated indoor pool or spend some time basking in the sauna, whirlpool tub and hammam-style steam room, but no visit is complete without enjoying one of the spa's lavish treatments. While options span from specialized facials to hot stone aromatherapy massages, those in search of a truly relaxing experience should be sure to book the Argentta Signature Massage, a complex combination of treatments that highlights specific acupressure points to ensure release. In addition to the Watergate Complex, the Foggy Bottom neighborhood is also home to the headquarters ... More of the U.S. State Department. Whether you're a hardcore history buff or a typical tourist, the Watergate Hotel delivers an unparalleled experience in one of Washington's most charming neighborhoods, with plenty of fine food and drink to enjoy all throughout your stay. With its modern amenities and fascinating political intrigue, the property promises a truly memorable stay that's equal parts luxurious and educational. As you plan your next visit to the national capital, be sure to pay a visit to this renowned hotel, a storied structure that's both an oasis of luxury and a crucial piece of American history in physical form.
