Airliner collides with Blackhawk Helicopter

Started by rookie, Jan 30, 2025, 05:26

Previous topic - Next topic

rookie

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy7kxx74yxlt

A United Airlines CRJ700 has collided with a US army black hawk in mid air.

causeway74

It's very odd this, saw a clip which just seemed to be a direct flight from heli into the arriving jet. Very very sad.

Jimi182

It appears ATC asked if the Blackhawk had the aircraft in sight, but it looks like the Blackhawk saw the flight ahead of the one they crashed into, thinking that was the one ATC were referring to?

So many unknowns, and totally tragic.

angry turnip

#3
Just to clarify,the aircraft involved were a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by American Airlines subsidiary ( American Eagle ) PSA Airlines, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

More info from ASN website...  https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/474365



keegster

It will be interesting to see what role, if any, TCAS played in the accident.

We know the CRJ will have had it installed but possibly not the Blackhawk.

Jimi182

Quote from: keegster on Jan 30, 2025, 14:02It will be interesting to see what role, if any, TCAS played in the accident.

We know the CRJ will have had it installed but possibly not the Blackhawk.

I don't believe the Blackhawk will have it fitted and read that most airlines turn it off on approach to this particular airport, given the frequency of flights around the area, and the chopper activity.

angry turnip

#6
Quote from: Jimi182 on Jan 30, 2025, 10:04It appears ATC asked if the Blackhawk had the aircraft in sight, but it looks like the Blackhawk saw the flight ahead of the one they crashed into, thinking that was the one ATC were referring to?

So many unknowns, and totally tragic.

I agree, looks to me like the Blackhawk crew may have thought ATC was refering to the departing aircraft,not the arriving one.
The Blackhawk crew would be using nightvision googles,as to that having any bearing on the accident is unclear.
I have read that nightvision goggles can cause some disorientation,especially involving a situation were a bright light would suddenly appear. It`s possible the landing lights of the aircraft on approach caused some confusion with the Blackhawk flight crew.

In the ATC audio that has been released,the contoller does not specifically mention landing traffic to the helicopter.It also seems to me as if the ATC instructions were left a bit late, I would expect ATC to clearly tell the heli to watch for landing traffic inbound and to pass behind it.Also we don`t know yet if the landing CRJ was made aware of the helicopter being close by.

Jimi182

Quote from: angry turnip on Jan 30, 2025, 21:38
Quote from: Jimi182 on Jan 30, 2025, 10:04It appears ATC asked if the Blackhawk had the aircraft in sight, but it looks like the Blackhawk saw the flight ahead of the one they crashed into, thinking that was the one ATC were referring to?

So many unknowns, and totally tragic.

I agree, looks to me like the Blackhawk crew may have thought ATC was refering to the departing aircraft,not the arriving one.
The Blackhawk crew would be using nightvision googles,as to that having any bearing on the accident is unclear.
I have read that nightvision goggles can cause some disorientation,especially involving a situation were a bright light would suddenly appear. It`s possible the landing lights of the aircraft on approach caused some confusion with the Blackhawk flight crew.

In the ATC audio that has been released,the contoller does not specifically mention landing traffic to the helicopter.It also seems to me as if the ATC instructions were left a bit late, I would expect ATC to clearly tell the heli to watch for landing traffic inbound and to pass behind it.Also we don`t know yet if the landing CRJ was made aware of the helicopter being close by.

I was wondering the same re was the CRJ made aware of the heli close by? I haven't heard it on the ATC playback. Locally, it's all you hear near BHD, with the police or air ambulance operating near by - both helo and approach/departing are made aware of each other.

Would the Blackhawk have shown on any screen within in the CRJ?

angry turnip

I honestly don't know,but it does seem like rules in US tend to run things closer than most other nations.
If you look on YouTube for example their are numerous close calls and some really seriously risky procedures and violations.  ::)

It seems to me this accident should have easily prevented by informing both aircraft much earlier,if required,put the heli in a temporary hold,to allow the CRJ to land.

angry turnip

Quote from: keegster on Jan 30, 2025, 14:02It will be interesting to see what role, if any, TCAS played in the accident.

We know the CRJ will have had it installed but possibly not the Blackhawk.

Another update which includes info on TCAS which apparently will not operate at below 1000ft,this accident occured around 400ft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouDAnO8eMf8

angry turnip