Aviation expert believes deadly mid-air collision over Potomac River caused by confusion

An investigation is underway for a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Regan National Airport near Washington, D.C. John Gagliano, an aviation expert, said he believes the crash was caused by confusion.

[@amynesbitt4667]

This was 100% the fault of the helicopter pilot. They requested and were granted visual separation. They stated they saw the plane. Then they flew right into the plane. Why can't you put the blame where it belongs?

[@JBG1968]

It is likely the case that. I think they saw the wrong plane or something else they thought was the plane to their right and were going in a direction they thought was behind said plane . They were looking to their right at what they thought was the plane ATC advised about and did not see the actually flight descending right into their path

[@SarahCherry-dt5sd]

What an idiotic response!!!! The 1 air traffic controller ( there should have been 2 at this busiest/ dangerous airport; but weren’t because of understaffing)only gave the helicopter 30 seconds which is NOT enough time to shift paths .Also; the plane was diverted last minute .Again; 2 air traffic controllers are supposed to be the norm!!!

[@amynesbitt4667]

@@SarahCherry-dt5sd The plane did not divert last minute, that is standard for landing approach at that airport. The helicopter went off course and went into the path that was for planes (outside of the corridor for helicopters). Besides that, the helicopter requested and was given consent for visual separation because they stated that they had visual of the plane. At that point, it is 100% the helicopters responsibility to avoid other aircraft. Please, do a little research before you call someone idiotic.

[@TommyTCGT]

Govt fault.. see my comments above.

[@audreydaleski1067]

The problem is helicopters should not be flying there at all.

[@gavincurtis]

EXACTLY

[@manetho4967]

“Dr. Pavel refused our offer in favor of yours, we had to find out what he told you.” - Bane

[@radenujang3294]

I think it was not confusion: It because ATC gave authority to helicopter pilot to *MAKE HIS OWN PATH by using words **_"request for separation"_* ATC should respond : _"request rejected. There is no emergency situation, so _*_You must follow my Instuction!!"_* That is why ATC is made ! To control AIR TRAFFIC !

[@stephaniegonzalez8489]

This actually makes so much sense

[@larryhong2785]

When MAGA hears Blsck Hawk instead of White Hawk, DEI is the first reaction.

[@Ortiz8094]

All those little kids , families , professionals, incredibly sad, because they were so close to being safe and out of nowhere a helicopter rams into them , RIP to all who perished ❤️🙏

[@Agent-cu5pv]

Who needs terrorists when we have reckless army helicopter pilots dodging in and out of commercial jet paths.....playing chicken with hundreds of innocent lives!!! The commander of the helicopter squad needs to resign and be held accountable!

[@ziggystardust7888]

Hillery hates Russians 😢

[@rustyjohnson9558]

You really have no clue how any of this works, and have used your imagination to fill the gaps in your knowledge.

[@buttmaster4594]

@@rustyjohnson9558 because it is a foreign troll

[@jaysonpida5379]

@Agent.... What a stoooopid comment.

[@JBG1968]

I don’t think it was intentional or reckless . I think it was a tragic mistake is all . Chances are we will never really know what exactly happened now .

[@Hercules60]

Just say it. Confusion ? Stupidity

[@WTH1812]

Pick out one light in this constantly moving sea of lights and fly behind it. Really smart of Congress to demand more flights in and out of this congested restricted zone so they home more quickly.

[@AV84USA]

Pilots do that every day. The Blackhawk pilot identified the wrong traffic and did not see the aircraft on final until it was too late. If the Blackhawk had not confirmed visual on the traffic the tower would have separated the traffic

[@bingbongbang8895]

Everybody is pretending to know what happened. How about everybody shut their pie holes until the facts are available. Trump is an idiot to speak before he knows the facts.

[@von4774]

Why are military helicopters zooming around the runway? In San Diego there are tons of military helicopters in the sky but never around the passenger airport runways. Freaking go a few miles around it

[@joelincolnlincoln6315]

They are a confident bunch and are used to death so you cant expect military to worry about death. Their whole life is opposite

[@JBG1968]

It appears the helicopter base is close by that location .

[@von4774]

@@JBG1968 it doesn’t matter. Coronado is VERY close to San Diego’s airport but they always take off and approach landing away from the airport. It doesn’t matter if they are adjacent, freakin stay away from the run ways and go to the other side

[@tandemrotor791]

You’re clueless. I have flown through the Lindbergh airspace many times in helicopters. It’s a common occurrence.

[@von4774]

@ ok cool. How many times were you dangerously close to a commercial airliner? I live here bro. Helicopters aren’t zooming around the runway area at 200-400 ft. Maybe back when you flew but not now lol

[@anyonecansee4601]

avoid DCA too many close calls and mishaps

[@michaeldavis8382]

It is clear. The helicopter pilot saw the first plane (upper portion of the video ), thought that was the American flight, and flew behind that plane. He did not see the actual American plane and flew right into it. This is not hard to figure out.

[@JFlower7]

How the copter could not see the plane is a mystery.

[@Hercules60]

Not really. They were closing at 500 plus

[@L.D.Intheditch]

I think it was intentional.

[@salemrealistic9748]

Its almost like theyre traveling at extremely fast speeds at night in a busy airspace or something! Most pilots utilize their instruments rather than visual confirmation at night. It is no mystery

[@jaysonpida5379]

@JFliwer..... NOT A MYSTERY ! THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM.....MIS-IDENTIFYING LIGHTS AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY IN A CONGESTED, URBAN ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FLIGHT.

[@JBG1968]

The plane would have been above them until almost the last second . Plus I think they probably spotted the wrong plane or something else they thought was the plane and were focused on that

[@anyonecansee4601]

Complacency and bad comms

[@audreydaleski1067]

Helicopter did enter airplanes airspace. When they never should have exceeded flying over 200 feet.

[@ziggystardust7888]

Neglected 😮 Tower 😮 🗼

[@audreydaleski1067]

Necessary facilty needs to be moved a bit.

[@timothycorless7286]

He needs to shut up until the investigation is over.!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BajatheChickenMan]

Ahh we live in the modern age, where speculating wildly is the news!

[@AV84USA]

He is fairly on point as to what likely happened.

[@bnieva8092]

TERRORIS ATTACK! NO DOUBT! SOMEONE HIJACKED THE HELICOPTER

[@PersnicketyWhippets]

One would think that an active glide slope would be cleared at all times so that planes on the glide scope have full authority on that slice of airspace. It doesn't seem right to allow any other aircraft to "slip in behind" or interfere with planes on an active glide slope in any way. Apparently, they instead do this as a matter of course. Bound to be a disaster sooner or later. It's just a matter of time. I guess they scootch planes in anywhere there's room.

[@Songer80]

Why the heck were they flying in the same altitude?! Didn't ATC look at their radar and see them heading for a collision?

[@luster1993]

They did, they addressed it, helo confirmed visual. ATC recordings definitely point towards helo at fault in preliminary assessment.

[@AV84USA]

There is a standard pattern altitude around airports. The Blackhawk pilot likely confirmed seeing the wrong aircraft.

[@joefran619]

that's what I thought.

[@georgiahertzler9403]

It was issue with the amateur pilots, by stupid military

[@von4774]

They can practice and train right by the airport but ALWAYS take off and land from the direction AWAY from the airport and never zoom around the freakin runways

[@brwnietter9681]

The plane had been cleared to land.

[@grassroot011]

No good reason for that Helicopter to be doing training runs in such a congested area, Ja? Let the Bureaucrats do a " study."? Gad !!!!

[@jameshisself7375]

Any mention of 'issues with Blackhawks' is assinine, incorrect and irrelevant. This was a breakdown of the helo crew seeing and avoiding the CRJ. A very busy airspace with special rules. Could the rules have been better? Of course, and they will be.

[@JBG1968]

Exactly , I don’t think there was any incompetence, or carelessness involved here . No existing rules seem to have been broken . It was a mistake that happened at a very tragic moment . Should some procedures and rules be changed because of this ? Probably .

[@mrbob19561]

Opinions are like buttholes everyone has one

[@Mare-u3e]

Here's the real question and the real tragedy. How many of you out there have been saved by Gods grace? Are you born again? Have you repented of your sin to the Lord your God? Many will pass from this life just as these did and into eternity in either heaven or hell. Where will YOU be if your last hour should end? John 14:6- "I (JESUS) am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE (ETERNAL), NO ONE comes to the FATHER (GOD), except through ME (JESUS)." If you haven't repented of your sins and been born again, and you end up dying, you WILL go to hell. Hell is not a party where you go to be with your besties. It is a cold, dark, separation from people, the love of a merciful God, comfort, joy everlasting, etc., if you chose to ignore and refuse his gift of eternal life. It's a place, the bible tells us where you are constantly burning, in pain, in tne dark. You're thirst will NEVER be quenched. God did NOT create hell for us! He created hell for the devil and his dark angels. But if you choose to ignore the Grace of the Living God, YOU are the only one who is choosing to be separated from him and YOU ALONE. 2 Peter 3:9-"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." He is WAITING FOR YOU to come to him. He is waiting for you to accept his FREE gift of eternal salvation because HE LOVES YOU! His love for you is shown on that cruel cross he CHOSE to take up for YOU and ALL his beloved children. It breaks his heart that people would choose hell over his eternal grace and love.

[@dorahernandez1029]

Amen!!

[@MarcPagan]

Jesus was a false Messiah. Please convince me otherwise. If you're a true person of faith, a brave defender, you won't delete. You'll read. While I'm grateful for the good works, accountability, and morals that Christianity teaches ...Jesus was a false Messiah. The Bible is clear, when Christ/Messiah comes: 1 - He will not be divine 2 - The entire world will worship God, and know he is the only true God 3 - There will be no more war These prophets, in which Christians claim 100% validity, state that we can recognize the Messiah when all of the following take place during the Messianic Age: Ezekiel Building of the final Temple that will stand forever in Jerusalem Deuteronomy 30:1-5 Return of the lost tribes to Israel Daniel 12:2 Resurrection of the dead Isaiah 11:9, 10 Knowledge of God throughout the world, and obedience to God Isaiah 2:4 Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. None of the above happened 2000 years ago/ Jesus fulfilled no prophecies Result? Church leaders after the year 100 invented ..."Jesus, The Return" aka The Second Coming. Then in 325, the Church invented the Trinity at the Council of Nicaea. Yet the Bible explicitly states that God will never be split into parts, and only God is to be worshiped. Intermediaries are not permitted. Including worship of, or prayers to, the Messiah, Mary, angels, or dead men and women, aka Saints. - The Hebrew Bible is 6X the size of the New Testament, so there's plenty of source material to find: Support for "The Second Coming" Support for "The Virgin Birth" That the Messiah or a Savior is needed for sin forgiveness The Messiah will be a vehicle to forgive sin The Hebrew Bible opposes the core tenets of the Christian faith - Original sin The need for a "savior" to forgive sin That God can be split into parts Scapegoating one's sins to another being, divine, semi-divine, or mortal The Church claims Hebrew Faith origin, but actually practices a Pagan religion based upon Greco/Roman/Persian Dualism.

[@wandawells5596]

I call him Yahusha, but ok. Im just sorry for all involved in this accident. Lets just pray for them and their families😢

[@yvonneplant9434]

I don't understand why youtube allows so much proselytizing since trying to get them to stfu can cause one to get semi-banned.

[@AV84USA]

What did he say that you find inaccurate or unlikely? Someone with an aviation background can make some fairly sound inferences by watching the crash video, knowing the airport, and listening to ATC.

[@tellitlikeitis1828]

Christians are commanded to tell others about Jesus Christ and what he died for and WHO he died for. He died for you Yvonne.

[@tellitlikeitis1828]

@@AV84USA She is responding to @mare-u3e post.

[@Winston-x8b]

No excuses

[@tedcollins4684]

Landing lights could be seen for 30 miles.

[@stonehobson2487]

Landing light are in front of the plane, not shining off to it's right rear where the helicopter hit. The chopper pilot saw a hundred lights in front of him and mistook one for the plane, which it obviously was not. This is real, and hard for people. You are a soulless hate filled troll looking for blood.

[@AV84USA]

The landing lights of the airplane taking off would’ve been more prominent than the landing lights at 90deg of the impacted plane. There are a lot of lights around an airport, especially when you are looking for traffic at or near the horizon. I think it’s likely that the Blackhawk pilot identified the wrong aircraft and did not see the plane crossing his path.

[@robdobbins6014]

Helo pilot collided perpendicular to the jet so probably did not see landing light. Such a sad accident.

[@jameshisself7375]

No landing lights visible from the side, which is where the helo hit them. You say 'seen' but you would not believe how difficult it is to see a set of lights that are right in front of a city of lights. Try it sometime.

[@tellitlikeitis1828]

not from the side or rear

[@nancy68839]

Let’s not play the blame game. This is purely a tragic accident.

[@AV84USA]

Playing the blame game is how aviation stays safe and we learn from these tragedies.

[@elainevankat5353]

Such a ridiculous comment!!!🤷‍♀️

[@elainevankat5353]

@@AV84USAExactly…

[@bobquartlemigula2351]

Ask Trump why he fired the head of the TSA & the coast guard as well as key aviation safety advisers and less than 2 weeks later this happens!!! If Biden had fired them Fox News would be blaming him endlessly for months so since that is the official stance of THE REPUBLICAN PARTY and their propaganda machine Fox News I’m all for assigning blame exactly where it belongs and that is on the hands of president musk and vice president Trump!!!! 👌

[@LiberalsCryAlot]

You're not very bright, are you?

[@kimbiles8496]

Sounds to me like it was the controller who caused that. Pilots do what they are told and controllers can see and anticipate what is coming to give pilots enough time to correct. But blame it on the helo pilot and the government pays and the airline is off the hook.

[@JBG1968]

ATC controller can’t not see what the pilot actually sees . ATC asked the helicopter to visually confirm the plane and they said they saw it . This happens many times a day and night . No reason for ATC to doubt it . They have many other planes they are dealing with at the same time .

[@o.astamp5680]

*no $hit* 😂

[@jillthompson1248]

Maybe make airport not handle so many flights reroute some to other close airport

[@joelincolnlincoln6315]

The situation is rhe military choppers fly loe to the river and the planes fly rifht above them as they intersect. Eachvof them is seperat3d by about lengthbof a baseball field. So they shoukdnt collife but they will come close. But they also given extra lengths to move closer outting them both within 100 feet. So now u have them within 100 feet asuming the chopper didnt know what plane he was told to avoid or if he even heard the towers whoch maybe he didbt hear. Maybe he passed out threw up the radio went out. Likely he just was over confident and looking st the wrong plane or didnt care what was told to do. So that plus one or both were off a few hundred feet allowing them to colide. So many close calls the sky is so crowded its inevitable will get much worse when we have peoppe zoomingg around on jet packa thw way drones are already causing problems

[@shawnmurphy282]

We are being lied to

[@Iamhuman2ithink]

This is obviously a head on collision. Definitely, people are misleading people and don't want your eyes to see reality.

[@jerrylundegaard2592]

Has Trump spoken?

[@shawnmurphy282]

@jerrylundegaard2592 he's doing the presser as I write this

[@tellitlikeitis1828]

@@jerrylundegaard2592 yes

[@georgediffee4835]

So stupid lawsuits so families can rebuild their lives? Must be a greedy lawyer.

[@jerrylundegaard2592]

Of course the guy was just answering a bad question from the TV host.

[@dorahernandez1029]

Bullcrap

[@AV84USA]

How so? What did he say that you know to be incorrect?

[@govholocaustal4432]

Is this an onion video? Holy sh!t this is pathetic

[@dark_winter8238]

It's very fortunate that lawsuits are available. Hopefully, it's settled quickly before needing court, so the victums family's can attempt to rebuild there lives.

[@AV84USA]

Hopefully we find out exactly what went wrong so that this doesn’t happen again. The Blackhawk flew into the airplane, likely because he identified the wrong traffic and did not see the plane on final until it was too late.

[@maryfranklin7034]

Wonder if DEI is involved.

[@ziggystardust7888]

Hillery hates Russians 😢

[@sheffrudytke1086]

Shut up.

[@Bearwoman11]

Why

[@NilsonVicen]

Belief and cause are two different things. All thsea analysts are full of it.

[@dorahernandez1029]

This was NO ACCIDENT!!! He fails to say WHAT THE HECK WAS A BH FLYING THERE?

[@rustyjohnson9558]

They travel like any other aircraft. Could have been any helicopter. Being a blackhawk has nothing to do with it.

[@daviddunn860]

Just what we need another expert talking out of his a** and drawing some dumb a** conclusion. I think we should wait for an investigation before we start blaming Trump.

[@euro51116]

Im defending Trump harder than ever. America is doing a 180 and liberal elites are doing everhthing they can to ruin his image

[@SASSYMADELINE]

Mr. President Donald TRUMP he latched on to you, PLEASE PRAY,🙏

[@leonskum7705]

Another DEI hire posing as a helicopter pilot. 😂

[@mrbob19561]

The radatr and instruments on the blackhawk shows everything thru their headgear

[@AV84USA]

lol Yes, my “radatr” showed everything

[@lindatrepanier3419]

​@@AV84USA 🤦🏼‍♀️ just love perfect grammar police. You can tell the person type too fast and hit two keys. Also, this ain't a spelling bee here...

[@AV84USA]

@@lindatrepanier3419 you’re right. Sorry, I figured I’d make light of your typo instead of correcting your ignorance as to avionics and procedures.

[@lindatrepanier3419]

@AV84USA thanks. It wasn't my typo, tho. Just speaking up for others, bc you see this all across social media