At least 67 confirmed dead after plane with US helicopter midair | 9 News Australia

The US capital of Washington, DC is the scene of a major aviation disaster, with at least 67 confirmed dead after a midair collision between an American Airlines jet plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. | Subscribe and 🔔: 9Soci.al/KM6e50... | Get more breaking news at 9News.com.au: 9Soci.al/iyCO50...
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[@MichelleMcgilvery]

So sorry for this horrible accident our thoughts are with you all from australia

[@jellybean1976928]

As an Airline Captain with 26 years experience, I can confirm some relevant factors; - The TCAS system is largely inhibited at low levels - Helicopter traffic is routinely allowed to operate at low levels in the vicinity of landing airline traffic with the primary means of separation being asking the helicopter to identify and remain clear of the airliner. Usually the airliner is only advised of the helicopter and rarely asked or required to have a positive sighting. Therefore there is NO fail-safe separation, and unbelievably this is standard practice. As a Captain I regularly make heated exchanges with ATC indicating that I expect to positively see the other aircraft and find them sighting alone grossly inadequate.

[@cynicallemonade1792]

Thanks for that explanation

[@WaveFlightSimulations]

Thoughts on maintaining visual separation at night, also why not tell the crew more optics like traffic 1 mile at your x oclock same altitude

[@yumisage]

According to an American Airlines pilot who has received a recording of communications between the helicopter pilot and Air traffic control, there were 5 planes in a line coming in for landing. The helicopter pilot took responsibility saying he had clear visibility of the plane he was asked about - but the pilot had the wrong plane, and didn't see the actual one next to him.

[@Elitist20]

Someone who actually knows what they're talking about? This is now banned.

[@WaveFlightSimulations]

@ Dont forget about the Blackhawak crew using Night Vision bino's so phosperous white/blue with only straight vision, no panoramic vision like quad GPNVG's

[@markroyal2021]

Why the military doing training exercise close to civilian airport

[@whatismylife879]

they had probably finished and were coming back to touch down but still yeah they shouldnt have benn so close

[@bootstrappedfriend1752]

Military Base right next door. This airport is known for being more complex to operate in. Sharing airspace with Military has been happening for many decades.

[@MLong05]

@@whatismylife879 The chopper base is just across the river. These army choppers have been flying this route for years and apparently it's an appproved procedures

[@headswillroll89]

Has nothing to do with all the people fired in the last week. Play trumps full response.. it was dei according to him....

[@vijayafernando1]

Teething issues of a young nation

[@JustAThought155]

Horrible tragedy. Thank you for your coverage. I will suggest, out of respect for the souls lost onboard those aircraft’s, it would be best to not constantly show the horrible collision. We are literally viewing lives ending; those souls and their surviving loved ones deserve dignity and respect for their lives, in my opinion.

[@Godismypeaceeverytime]

Deepest sympaties to all affected.

[@THATONEWOUNDEDWARRIOR]

Just got off an hour long joy flight in a helicopter with my family and then we see this news... absolutely terrifying and I send condolences to the families of the victims of this horrendous accident. RIP 🕊️

[@markrigg6623]

What on earth are they doing, having training exercises around a busy airport and at night. ???😢

[@shannoncole6415]

RIP may the Lord provide comfort to all affected. Amen

[@Aelda69]

The Blackhawk was flying dark over an international airport and made no attempts to avoid the private jet which was lit up like a Christmas tree. Who was on that plane?

[@Sweptundertherug]

Yes bit suss.

[@DaniilBalkans-jh2rw]

That chopper was never going to miss that plane!. There was nothing accidental in the choppers flight path, who was in that chopper & flying it, coz I don't think he made any mistakes?.

[@xcrockery8080]

@@DaniilBalkans-jh2rw That's just cooked.

[@xcrockery8080]

Why do some people immediately jump to incoherent conspiracy theories?

[@DaniilBalkans-jh2rw]

Why wouldn't they🤔, do you think this is just something normal that happens every other day, just a little accident?.

[@jayhorton4088]

No one to blame but the helicopter pilots

[@Aelda69]

Enter all the Commies blaming Trump without rhyme or reason.

[@aussieaircraft]

What do you know about aviation, I would assume nothing. Don’t jump to conclusions before the prelim.

[@SarahsYouTubechannel]

Sending my deepest condolences to their families and friends

[@Sasha_Plygareva]

Rip jinna han, spencer lane and their parents and coaches and all the figure skaters + families and friends that were onboard the flight

[@Nil-js4bf]

Isn't it stupid for ATCs to accept such low margins of error in the first place?

[@aussieaircraft]

Visual separation is common, especially in VFR.

[@PamelaTaylor-m9f]

So sad😢

[@snappycenter7863]

Is it possible it was deliberate? Not the first time someone flew an aircraft into a target containing people in the US.

[@Aelda69]

Possible, no. Definite? Yes.

[@MrBUBBAKY]

I would like to see a report of all near misses at all airports in the USA for the last 12 months....then you'll have an idea why this happened.

[@annab13]

Something doesn't make sense.. why was the military in public landing space? Why did they fly directly at them and not even turn or anything? I'd love to know who was on the plane or who was expected to touch down in Washington

[@whohan779]

@@annab13 Not everything is a conspiracy, bro. 🙄

[@annab13]

@@whohan779 not everything is an impossible coincidence either, "bruh"

[@annab13]

@@whohan779 At least I don't believe in the conspiracy that the government doesn't do things like this 🥴🤣🤣

[@whohan779]

@@annab13 Let me guess: “Bush did 9/11, so it was an in…”, right?

[@9292moe]

Every airport has a predetermined airplanes approach landing path for its runway such path is always occupied by different airliners often few minutes apart Any helicopter enter such path at any time is forbidden and is looking for a disaster to happen.

[@jakexgold3879]

Army life are so boring, the new army recruits sure wanting to get a closer view of how some flights lands.

[@chisomnnedimma4849]

What were the traffic controllers doing?

[@fireskycam9889]

I don't understand why a helicopter of any type, being flown by any organisation, is flying across the flight path heading towards or away from a runway.

[@allangibson8494]

Because in Washington it is the only legally available path to an airport less than four kilometres from the U.S. Capitol.

[@fireskycam9889]

@@allangibson8494 That being the case then either the ATC or the chopper pilot screwed up. The plane would have been flying a designated path as directed by the ATC with no ability to make sudden adjustments. The chopper can of course make small, or large adjustments within a seconds notice. I feel from this that it would be the chopper crossing the main flight path of heavy inbounds and would have had to be very visually alert to other air traffic. Unfortunately I feel it will probably come down to chopper pilot error.

[@allangibson8494]

@ I would opt for a more multi factor approach. I concur however that the jet crew were not at fault - they were just doing their job in the right place at the wrong time. The ATC operator should have kept tighter control over the helicopter (but being military, that becomes “administratively touchy”). Working the tower solo (when standards require two) makes it a more understandable as to why he wanted to let the helicopter remain VFR. Flight at night (or even in broad daylight) that near an airport in the evening rush would optimistically be described as “risky”. Ronald Reagan airport is the entirely wrong facility in the wrong place. It exists because congressmen didn’t like having to travel more than 2 miles to get a plane home.

[@lancemckellar]

I remember the 1982 Potamac river disaster

[@defaultuser6291]

Not saying that this is not important but... I've counted other 4 plane accidents this 2025.

[@happyBearInRoblox]

WE HAVENT EVEN WENT TO MARCH YET

[@Boeing747fan-j3l]

​@@happyBearInRoblox or even February for that matter

[@nicolasrose3064]

One Plane coming in on approach and another Plane taking off, the Helicopter Pilot was watching the Plane that was taking off...

[@joelkhurram]

It's sad & a shocker infact. God bless them all 🙏🏼

[@AuntieShinePH]

Another air traffic tragedy just when January is about to end! RIP to the deceased and I hope no more of these this year.

[@elaineMuir-b6i]

Praying 🙏 families

[@jacethatace16]

Folks other way around helicopter hits plane

[@briohnyr]

Why do they all keep saying Plane crashed into Chopper when we can all see it’s the other way around ? Chopper could have moved just kept going .

[@annab13]

Because they are shifting blame for an assassination. The military shouldn't have even been there. Why were they practising on a public air strip? Why did the helicopter fly directly at the plane without even trying to avoid it? I want to know who was on the plane

[@malevolence9279]

Do you know the difference in speeds between the 2? There's no way. They were both just moving forward and collided in mid air. It's the angle of the footage that you are confused by.

[@briohnyr]

@ I have seen a lady’s dash cam footage yesterday on fox , clearly see the chopper going towards the lower end right side of the plane .

[@125sloth]

Exactly right and a not an "accident" as many media keep saying. Just like with motor vehicles, they are crashes, not accidents.

[@juttauren896]

More questions then answers, will we ever get to the bottom of this.

[@sajankhadka8433]

Helicopter ceo and aircraft ceo should be send in jail

[@cyborg_cr7488]

The hight / altitude was the crucial factor. Because, landing procedure and route for any given commercial runway is well defined. They all have way points, descending slope and altitudes. So, this helicopter or any other aircraft shouldn’t have intercepted that route at the same altitude, period… it seems most likely ATC messed this up. They should have given clear instructions to the helicopter well ahead of time to stay clear of that altitude. That is the sole purpose of an ATC. You don’t get to ask the helicopter pilot to visually navigate in such a critical and busy flying zone.

[@jakexgold3879]

Crooked speedist and hooliganism fun , love the life of theme parks and roller coaster rides! Join in the army today! Close calls are the best rides!

[@Dedicated_to_Jesus_downunder]

Terrible accident. You never know what could happen today- you can be here one minute and gone the next. Please people choose to do good, turn from doing evil, turn to God with all your heart, make peace with Him and truely love your neighbour as you love yourself. May God bless and comfort their loved ones, family, friends and community that remain. What a heartbreaking tragedy.

[@maritesdivina2655]

Yes it's true!Turn to God now while there's still time!We don't know what will happen in the next seconds so we always be ready!🙏

[@Aelda69]

This was no accident. Also, accident implies that nobody is to blame. Some was on that plane that Ds wanted gone.

[@shinobu1886]

@@Aelda69 Maybe learn the definition of accident, before trying to create any conspiracy theories.

[@teegrey1606]

seem as though to me that copter pilot had enough time to descend just a bit, did he not see those flashing lights from far away ? he may have had a medical problem

[@CathyDragon8]

Very sad event. The journalist is trying to make their story more credible by repeatedly saying he's been there many times, interviewing a "witness" who doesn't seem to have seen the crash but the events afterward. Was that witness a jounalist? He certainly appears to be reporting.

[@nikstar1313]

Why were the military even in this area?

[@ismetahodzic8888]

What. The helicopter doing..same timee..dear😮

[@wisdombites3586]

Made in USA has become crash in USA

[@DEMONITION1723]

Millions to 1. Air to air crash when near. How did it happen.

[@mickme8914]

I wonder as to who were part of the 50 on board???????????????????????????

[@williameggleton414]

When this appears on ACI soon, I bet the name of the case will be titled....COLD COLLISION.

[@cinogen2]

ATC could have called off the landing approach after he saw the red collision alert blinking on the radar for quite a long time. Ultimately, ATC will be the party who takes 99%of the blame because all governments in the world are the same and they are never been in a wrong position. RIP ALL SOULS ON BOARDS. 😢

[@DEVILTAZ35]

The Black Hawk is notorious for having issues. We don’t know yet whether it may have had issues with it’s avionics or why the airliner was told to change course to a different runway but didn’t change course at least from what we know so far. Speculation is not going to help anyone anyway . The NTSB is among the best in the world in their field in working out what went wrong so let’s let them do their job out of respect for the victims.

[@nobodyrissole1921]

Were the black hawk pilots Australian? Because the Americans have a heap of Australian female pilots.

[@mariaamyfuentes8607]

Traveling don’t come together separate of 4 at least not really bad for the family ?

[@teenmomAT14toRN]

He is embarrassing us daily.

[@DannyKatz-cy4ku]

Its only you who is embarrased. 99% of people on the planet feel a lot safer

[@teenmomAT14toRN]

@DannyKatz-cy4ku Haha that is a damn lie. Disgusting lie.

[@whohan779]

@@DannyKatz-cy4ku Source: “I made it the F up!” or “Trust me, bro.” this time?

[@Aelda69]

Can you explain why Trump is to blame without sounding like you took the short bus to school?

[@teenmomAT14toRN]

@@Aelda69 Who?

[@shaunsanderson5923]

Trump straight up, it's a helicopter that confirmed line of sight on plane....why no deviation in path at all

[@NadineBolger-vj5yc]

It just doesn't happen now it's happened it's shocking devastating

[@amir.mahfoozi]

This news totally eclipsed the crash of a F35 some hours before that.

[@xcrockery8080]

Hello, another incoherent conspiracy theory. The F35 pilot ejected safely and the plane was secured.

[@Kozi_m8]

Someone they wanted to keep quiet

[@okiror.f.amuron2550]

Helicopter pilot was busy chatting on whatsapp.sad R.I.P

[@snappycenter7863]

Why in the HECK would THE MILITARY let a pilot USE THEIR PHONE WHILE FLYING AN AIRCRAFT!?

[@Ali-v7b2o]

you can blame ISIS for this, it's in Washington DC

[@GaryWhipple-q6w]

Human error we are not perfect just people trying to be 😢

[@annab13]

I want to know who was on the plane? Someone imporatant, according to the military 🪖

[@annab13]

Who was the important person on board the plane that the military needed gone?

[@janisarletos5607]

Guys, straight to the point 1. Any important people where flying American Airlines 2. Soldiers how long they serve the us army ???

DON'T YOU LOVE STAPANOVISKY "RAY MATIRN" HAIR STYLE?!

[@ayendizon3845]

😢🥺😔🙏🙏🙏

[@seworrubacissejliame]

Obviously someone was too keen to learn about classified flight paths. That's all I can say. Is there any connection between the Tanzanian Precision Airlines flight and this particular plane? Let me guess: software.

[@kevinli949]

At 0.05, why does the reporter say 64 passengers and 3 army soldiers? it's 60 passengers and 4 crew members

[@NadineBolger-vj5yc]

Terrible

[@claraueltschi409]

ICE skating team Returning. THE RUSSAN WAS TRAINING

[@SuzieClark-y5m]

What can l say!!!, Except how devastating for not only the victim's but their loved one's family friends and anyone else connected with them throughout their life time!!!, From my heart I know for all concerned that all those victim's have a very safe place in Heaven!!!. In The Lord Jesus's Name And Almighty God In Heaven 🙏 Amen!!!.🎉

[@stuntgirl56-therachelvande24]

the helicopter hit the plane

[@kingsinix8570]

Trump is going for the Oompa Loompa tan.

[@marcelcicort9671]

Was thinking the same thing.. everybody else is thinking same, even the maga guys, but nobody says a thing..

[@chaiteavana2749]

😢

[@matildlukacs1397]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@eppityrrell8236]

Maybe a heart attack was involved the young pilot sounds Irish prayers to family and friends ✨🕊️☘️🙏

[@annab13]

In the end of days, giant birds will fall from the sky

[@SPOOKSTR]

If Trump was flying the Blackhawk this never would have happened.

[@vijayafernando1]

young nations need immigrants with experience

[@marykacollins9191]

Trump wouldn't know how to ride a bicycle let alone flying a Blackhawk

[@SPOOKSTR]

@@marykacollins9191 If Trump was in the Tour De France he'd win, no one can ride a bike like Trump. I have it on good authority that Donny will be racing the Isle of Man TT. He will set the fastest lap ever ridden..

[@JACKSLATER-d3r]

🛩🔥🕺🏼🔥🛩

[@cozmiczeal3895]

Mk Ultra was at play. This was deliberate on helicopter pilots hands. 😢

[@annab13]

I agree. Do we know who was on the plane?

[@sop1311]

Calm down, cooker. Nothing to do with MK Ultra.

[@cozmiczeal3895]

​@sop1311 This was easily preventable and deliberate.

[@ElliotMcMahon04]

Blame the last administration for DEI. The air traffic controllers were not qualified at all.

[@allangibson8494]

So a white male is a DEI hire? There being only half the staff required has more to do with congressional republicans not passing a budget in three YEARS…

[@FFTVYoutube]

Sus

[@shepherdsadventure]

What poor reporting following the US presser at 1.30am AESDT where a full briefing was given by DC Chief's. Information such as no issues with ATC between the military helo and the ATC and plane, but were on different frequencies, the helo was aware of the plane, but the plane was not aware of the helo, the helo was on a training mission with their TCAS/ADSB turned off which means the plane's radar wouldn't detect them and they were in full "blackout" mode, the plane was on an ILS short final for rwy 33, the helo was directed to pass behind the landing aircraft and acknowledged and the military were on a 'normal' route at 400ft. Obviously a lot more information was provided in the 30 odd minute presser, but given it was available to all, I thought 9 would've got something out of it not to spread misinformation!

[@shibarmyburnz1978]

400ft is way to high for a helo on that path at that time of night wouldn't call it a 'normal' path

[@shepherdsadventure]

@@shibarmyburnz1978 FAA stated that not me. Said it was "Normal to fly less than 500ft"

[@shibarmyburnz1978]

@shepherdsadventure radar from the time of the incident shows the heli at 200ft climb to 300ft. So right off the bat an incorrect statement from the hard facts. The CRJ drops from 500ft decending to 300ft at point of impact. Heli flight maps restricts heli max altitude to 200ft; more common for actual heli pilots doing the same flight paths usually fly at 50-100ft at that time of night. Great an all to pass on baseless statmentd, but you comment having an issue with misinformation then present misinformation... no reseach just parroting what you've heard. If you live in a glass house don't throw stones

[@shepherdsadventure]

Listen for yourself what they said if you don't believe me or are these people puppets?

[@shibarmyburnz1978]

@shepherdsadventure im not saying they didnt say it at all in saying before you die on your statment atleast do the most basic reseach espaoclly if your gonna cry misinfomation with a statment containing misinfomation. research yourself if you don't believe me or is the radar, official flight maps and pilots who have done the exact flight path puppets? Well, at least they ain't parrots like you just again repeating misinformation and crying misinformation with no research The irony

[@brendaturner9970]

Did she say 330 in this video when it was suppose to be 333 I thought ? 🤔💔🇺🇸💔😭

[@bert1913]

😂🙏😂🙏😂🙏😂🙏🙏😂🙏

[@WolfEffectzz]

Vaxxed?

[@MRT-co1sd]

I am sure the air traffic controllers are DEI qualified, you don’t need to investigate those.

INCLUSIVE WOKE STUFF AT THE CONTROL TOWER, AND MR STEPACRRRROSVIKY: THE HELICOPTER COLIDED WITH THE AIRLAINER, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!! THAN YOU ASK WHY RUSSIA HAS A BETTER MILITARY!

[@allangibson8494]

What “woke” stuff? Expected one guy to do two guy’s jobs?

[@Liam-k8k]

OMG RIP

[@rosekaricho4652]

The bible Hosea12;13 by prophet Israel was preserved, prophets have asked to pray this year 2025 for our preserva

[@ameno0o]

Gaza receipt 🇵🇸🔻

[@WaitImillegal]

This has nothing to do with gaza

[@AndrewMiller-n8y]

Check out the helicopter pilot

[@rlove3478]

My condolences to families So heartbreaking Find out if anyone was on drugs, especially in helicopter Makes you wonder is it was possible that it’s a terrorist supporter there’s so many in the colleges I wouldn’t be surprised at all because America is allowing people to take up for Hamas doubtful all kinds of craziness today I would not be surprised if it was something like that I’m not saying it is but I’m sure a big plane in front with all them lights on and then the helicopter having all those maneuvers available to it and then to crash right into it. I don’t know it has to be really bad pilot error or could it be a suicide the driver of the helicopter something very strange like that’s very much so pilot error but why hope it wasn’t a suicide or heart attack

[@ameno0o]

@AndrewMiller-n8y he is bbq now can't check nothing

[@carolmacdonald2918]

Trump had just fired the heads of aviation safety two days before this happened.

[@artburgos7686]

Theres no damm exxcuse for helicopter pilot not to be more aware from airline traffic..especially at night dont understand this. All i can say Human error no matter how profesional.😕

[@DaniilBalkans-jh2rw]

It is what it is😳, for some reason that helicopter went straight for that plane when he could have manoeuvred in many different ways to avoid the imminent collision, but he didn't?. He actually seems to be travelling at speed & bee lining straight for the centre of that target plane🤔?. You can't hide this fact, but it will be called an accident, coz most of the population couldn't handle or believe the truth!!.

[@PaulJohnson-iu5rt]

Trumps thrown the chopper crew under the bus

[@Aelda69]

They had no reason to be there, were flying dark (suspicious), and made literally no attempt to avoid the plane. This was intentional. We need to see the flight logs. I want to see who else was on that flight. They're trying to distract us with the dead figure skater team. Were there any scientists or epidemiologists onboard at the time? These are important questions. You complaining about Orange Man is a waste of time.

[@MrBUBBAKY]

@@PaulJohnson-iu5rt He's right but for the wrong reasons. The Commercial AM Plane was exactly where it was suppose to be and the Helicopter flew into it. We don't know why, yet....but the simplest answer is the Helo pilots and flight chief didn't see it until it was too late!

[@shinobu1886]

It was quite literally the helicopter's fault.

[@adele1993]

@In2ThinAir