Latest news with #RebeccaLobach
Irish Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mid-air crash between plane and helicopter 'would not happen' in Irish airspace
A deadly mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter in the US would never happen in Irish airspace, an air traffic controller has revealed. On January 29, a Black Hawk chopper crashed into an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. killing 67 people. The tragedy took place while the passenger plane was on its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia at an altitude of about 100 metres and approximately 800 metres away from the tarmac. US media outlets have reported that the helicopter was flying too high and that chopper captain Rebecca Lobach did not listen to her co-pilot and flight instructor Andrew Loyd Eaves' calls to change course seconds before disaster struck. Before the crash, the helicopter pilots were informed there was an aircraft nearby and they then asked air traffic control if they could fly by "visual separation" - which was granted. This practice means those at the controls of the aircraft rely on their own visual observations to keep their distance from others using the airspace instead of using radar or other instruments. But Laura Downey, who has nine years of experience as an air traffic controller, says it couldn't happen in Ireland. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, she explained: "The procedures that we operate on, we wouldn't have planes that close to begin with. "Our operating procedures are different to the ones in the US, those two aircrafts would never be in such close proximity in the first place."
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Pilot made two fatal errors in seconds before army helicopter crashed into passenger jet
Pilot made two fatal errors in seconds before army helicopter crashed into passenger jet The bombshell report into the January 29 incident at Washington DC's Ronald Reagan International Airport, which also killed the three Army personnel aboard the helicopter, claims that Captain Rebecca Lobach did not follow an order to change course. Salvage crews pull up a part of a Black Hawk helicopter near the site in the Potomac River (Image: AP ) Seconds before the catastrophic collision of a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with a domestic flight carrying 64 passengers, the pilot committed two critical errors, according to a new investigation. The explosive investigation into the accident at Washington DC's Ronald Reagan International Airport on January 29, which also resulted in the deaths of the three army personnel aboard the helicopter, indicates that Captain Rebecca Lobach failed to heed an instruction to alter her flight path. As American Airlines Flight 5342 was descending for landing just before 8:48pm, only 15 seconds later, the night sky was suddenly illuminated by a fireball above the Potomac River. The calamitous event resulted in 67 fatalities, including a group of young figure skaters. The New York Times has unearthed what is says were two chances for the disaster to be averted. Prior to the crash, the Black Hawk had been warned by air traffic control that the regional passenger jet was near. This wa acknowledged by the crew who then asked for authorisation to perform what is often considered a standard aviation procedure, reports the Mirror. (Image: Getty Images ) One of the US Army pilots requested to initiate "visual separation," which involves the crew relying on their own vision to navigate and maintain safe clearance from other aircraft instead of depending on instructions from tower controllers. This request was met with affirmation as the controller replied, "visual separation approved," a statement captured in audio recordings from the tragic event . These requests occur daily worldwide without incident; however, Capt. Lobach failed to visually separate from the incoming passenger jet. According to The New York Times, this was either because she didn't spot the plane or was unable to navigate the helicopter to a safer position. Article continues below Lobach, with 500 hours of flying experience, was over Ronald Reagan Airport for her annual Black Hawk flight evaluation when she reportedly made her first mistake while the American Airlines flight was circling to land. Her evaluator and co-pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, relayed a tower order to turn left "toward the east river bank." This would have increased the distance between the two aircraft, but Lobach allegedly failed to follow this order, and 15 seconds later, everyone on both aircraft was dead. It remains unclear why this routine move wasn't executed or why the order to move left wasn't followed, according to flight data. "There is no indication that (Capt. Rebecca Lobach) was suffering from health issues at the time or that a medical event affected her during those final moments aboard the Black Hawk, according to friends and people familiar with the crash investigation, which included autopsies and performance log reviews," the report states. Investigators now suspect that a microphone malfunction may have prevented crucial information from reaching the cockpit of the US Army helicopter. It's possible that both the pilot and co-pilot pressed the talk button simultaneously, which would have cut off incoming audio, causing them to miss the word "circling." Jennifer Homendy, chair of the US National Transportation Safety Board, suggested this error could have resulted in an incomplete message leaving Lobach and Eaves unsure of how to move their helicopter to avoid the jet. "At 8:47:42 - or 17 seconds before impact - a radio transmission from the tower was audible on both CVRs directing the Black Hawk to pass behind the CRJ," Homendy informed reporters. Article continues below "CVR data from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission that stated 'pass behind the' may not have been received by the Black Hawk crew." Homendy also disclosed that the pilot was being assessed on her use of night vision goggles during her annual evaluation, which investigators believe the crew had been wearing for the entire flight up until the moment of collision. The Black Hawk, which was flying higher than it should have been, also had its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast system switched off in the minutes leading up to the collision, according to statements made by Senator Ted Cruz. This technology provides altitude and tracking data, as well as the location of other aircraft in the sky or on the runway.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seconds Before D.C. Plane Crash Killed 67, Army Pilot Was Told to Turn Away from Passenger Jet
Questions are again being raised about the conduct of an Army helicopter pilot whose Black Hawk collided with a passenger jet over Washington, D.C., in January — killing 67 people in the worst aviation incident in the country in decades. Months into the investigation, it remains unclear why the helicopter and its crew were acting strangely, though outside experts have suggested it was some kind of mistake. The Black Hawk was flying too high and appears to have slammed directly into the larger craft despite repeated warnings and despite the crew saying they could see the jet — American Airlines Flight 5342, which carried 64 passengers and crew on board — and were going to go around it. A New York Times article published on Sunday, April 27, reported that the helicopter pilot, Army Capt. Rebecca Lobach, did not seem to be 'suffering from health issues' or have a medical emergency at the time of the crash, on the evening of Jan. 29, just outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Lobach, 28, was in the pilot's seat as part of a yearly assessment, according to the Times. Related: D.C Plane Crash Investigation Explained: All the Answers to Your Key Questions The Black Hawk had a three-person crew, including Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and 28-year-old Staff. Sgt. Ryan O'Hara. Eaves, 39, was the instructor, the Times reported. Sunday's story included another odd detail: About 15 seconds before impact, Lobach was told by her instructor that air traffic controllers wanted them to turn left toward the river bank, which would have conceivably moved them even further out of the way of the incoming plane. But Lobach did not do that, according to the Times. The National Transportation Safety Board has been investigating what went wrong since January, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he thinks the tragedy was preventable. Asked for comment about the Times' article, an NTSB spokesman tells PEOPLE that the piece was based on documents released so far in the investigation, including a preliminary report. 'This was 100% crew error. No one thinks it was deliberate. It was a bad situation on a route that was a recipe for disaster,' a current Black Hawk pilot tells PEOPLE. 'If you have to pin this on someone, it's the instructor. He should have grabbed the stick. He has the authority to do that.' 'But,' the pilot adds, 'we don't know those final moments. He might have been reaching for the stick. He might have been taking over when the crash happened. It was crew error, no doubt. But it wasn't deliberate. I'm sure of that.' Another experienced pilot, who also requested not to be quoted by name, echoes that assessment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Yes, the pilot who was flying the aircraft made the mistake, but the buck stops with the instructor. He should have taken control,' they say. 'I've done it myself.' Citing other factors like potential issues with air traffic control and congestion around the airport, the second pilot adds: 'A lot of things went wrong. … That's why we have all these safeguards in place. It's like a Swiss cheese. Related: Big Sister Wants to Give D.C. Plane Crash Victim 'One Last Hug': 'She Was the World to My Family' (Exclusive) "You get all these slices of Swiss cheese, with the holes, and those are the places where things can go wrong. You do the safeguards so the holes don't line up," the pilot says. "This is a case where all the holes lined up. It's so rare. When it happens, it can be deadly.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Black Hawk pilot missed instructions before DC crash: reports
(NewsNation) — New details suggest missed instructions played a role in the January mid-air collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people. A new report from the New York Times reveals the pilot aboard the Black Hawk failed to heed a flight instructor's warning seconds before the crash. It appears multiple safety precautions failed the night of the crash, and the discussion about the crash has largely centered around the height of the helicopter. Border Patrol, Mexican government dismantle cartel lookout posts The new reporting also indicates that pilot Rebecca Lobach missed an order from her co-pilot and flight instructor Andrew Eaves, who was overseeing the training mission. The order would have changed the course of the helicopter to avoid the oncoming American Airlines jet. The pilots also missed key information when they stepped on instructions from flight control, meaning they talked over instructions from air traffic control. That meant they didn't hear directives from the tower that the plane was circling. In audio that was recorded 20 seconds from the crash, the tower asked the Black Hawk if they had the plane in sight and told them to pass behind the plane. The helicopter pilot requests visual separation to use their own visuals instead of direction from the tower. The tower approved visual separation, but it was too late. Seconds later, you can hear commotion in the tower, and then you can hear the reaction to the impact. 3 American children deported with their mothers, lawyers say The National Transportation Board has corroborated some of this. In February, they said the Black Hawk may not have heard the command because they had stopped on the audio where air traffic control told the Black Hawk helicopter twice that the plane was changing runways, was circling and would be landing. 'A radio transmission from the tower was audible on the CRJ CVR, informing the Black Hawk that traffic just south of the Wilson Bridge was a CRJ at 1200 feet, circling to runway three. CVR data from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission stating the CRJ was circling may not have been received by the Black Hawk Crew,' NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said. 'We hear the word circling in ATC communications, but we do not hear the word circling on the CVR of the Black Hawk.' All of which adds to the complicated picture of what happened that night. 'The Army continues to participate in the NTSB investigation and looks forward to opportunities to implement the report's recommendations,' a spokesperson from the Army told NewsNation. 'We are committed to ensuring the safety of air operations anywhere we operate and will continue to comply with FAA requirements and restrictions to enhance flight safety while supporting mission readiness.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Toronto Sun
28-04-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Army pilot missed flight instructor's order seconds before deadly D.C. crash: Report
Several mistakes were made by the Black Hawk crew, the New York Times reported Investigators walk the grounds of the Reagan National Airport as they work near the crash last night of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River as it approached the Reagan National Airport on January 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Photo by Win McNamee / Getty Images The Army Black Hawk pilot involved in a mid-air collision with a plane in Washington, D.C., failed to heed her instructor's warning 15 seconds before the deadly crash. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There is still no answer as to why the U.S. Army Black Hawk continued flying towards an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people, just before 9 p.m. on Jan. 29. But moments before the crash, Capt. Rebecca Lobach missed an order from co-pilot Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves — an Army flight instructor who was overseeing her training mission — to change course and avoid the plane that was trying to descend, the New York Times reported. The Times , which used dozens of records and interviews with aviation experts for its investigation, noted that it appeared several mistakes were made by the Black Hawk crew, which also included Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O'Hara. Officials found that 'some of the controller's instructions were 'stepped on' — meaning that they cut out when the helicopter crew pressed a microphone to speak — and important information likely went unheard' over the radio, according to the publication. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It was also reported that aviation experts believe the controller did not issue 'clear, urgent instructions to the Black Hawk to avert the crash.' At 8:46 p.m., Eaves requested and received approval for the helicopter's pilots to use their own visuals instead of air-traffic control to avoid other air traffic — a move that is common practice to speed things up, but also comes with the risk of more human error. Investigators believe that during that moment, Eaves and Lobach failed to hear that the American Airlines plane was 'circling' because one of them was pressing the microphone key to speak to air traffic control when the message came through. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Just 20 seconds before the crash occurred at 8:47:59 p.m. , the air-traffic controller asked the chopper pilots spotted American Airlines flight 5342, which was coming up on Runway 33 — where the helicopter was approaching. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'PAT two-five, do you have the CRJ in sight?' he asked, using the abbreviation for the American Airlines aircraft, in the last communication between the plane and air-traffic control. The passenger jet, flying in from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land in D.C. when it collided with the military chopper, sending both aircrafts plunging into the Potomac River. 'There is no indication that (Capt. Rebecca Lobach) was suffering from health issues at the time or that a medical event affected her during those final moments aboard the Black Hawk, according to friends and people familiar with the crash investigation, which included autopsies and performance log reviews,' the Times noted. Read More Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, the army's director of aviation, told the outlet that he believes investigators will find that a number of things contributed to the fatal crash. 'I think what we'll find in the end is there were multiple things that, had any one of them changed, it could have well changed the outcome of that evening.' The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement to the Times that it could not discuss 'any aspect' of the ongoing investigation being led by the National Transportation Safety Board. The final report on the causes of the crash won't be released until 2026. Federal Elections Celebrity NFL Celebrity Sunshine Girls
