American Airlines jet collides midair with US Army Black Hawk near Reagan National Airport, D.C. | Page 2 | FerrariChat

American Airlines jet collides midair with US Army Black Hawk near Reagan National Airport, D.C.

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by BJK, Jan 29, 2025.

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  1. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,149
    Texass
    Are you saying that 200’ ceiling for helos around Reagan is too low? The lower they are the clearer landing planes will be. Maybe they should use good old human vision around the airport.

    also, I only know military jargon from YouTube and Tom Cruise but isn’t “hard deck” the minimum altitude, not max?
     
  2. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,286
    FL
    Based on that video I see no explanation for the helicopter pilot's actions to fly directly into the airplane's bright lights unless they weren't looking at all where they were flying, or they were wearing night vision goggles that somehow made them not see it at all, or just suicide.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    That pilot was saying by the Armys own rules 200 is 100 below minimum. If their own minimum is lower than the maximum here, maybe, just maybe its a bad place to be doing that. More will come out but it sounds like possibly an exception was made for this situation. An exception that was a bad idea.
     
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  4. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 16, 2012
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    Jim
    Minimums may be a function of environment, eg geography/speed. Flying low across featureless flat ground with reduced depth perception wearing NVG's could be a bad idea. Add in some features, eg hills/buildings/roads, and a comfortable minimum may be lower. YMMV.
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    No question but the current situation clearly isn't a good plan.
     
  6. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 16, 2012
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    Jim
    Agreed.

    I never flew IFR on a regular basis, so always ended up out of currency requirements and had to do recurrent training whenever I knew I had a trip coming up. When the instructor signed me off as 'current' I often received an admonition that currency did not mean I was proficient to fly at minimums. Good advice.
     
  7. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,149
    Texass
    Don't forget speed. According to the flight data the helo was going 113kt / 130mph. Even at 300', on a twisty route in a crowded area with planes taking off and landing all around, that seems pretty ****ing quick.
     
  8. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 16, 2012
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    I didn't;)
     
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  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    Altitude restrictions on aircraft and helicopters vary with AOR in the military.
     
  10. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
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    Nov 11, 2003
    11,876
    Central NJ
  11. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    Here's a video representation:

     

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