Mid air collision over Washington

[Ashy]

Sadly an aeroplane and a military helicopter have collided in mid air near Washington D.C. airport. Apparently due to the helicopter pilot's error. All 67 aboard were killed.

[Cassandra]

The information we've seen here the helicopter seems to fly directly at the airliner at elevated speed for being in such a place. Many are now questioning just exactly what has occurred! The passengers were many associated with Russian Ice Skaters and their families.

[Ashy]

My understanding is that the aeroplane was on its final approach, descending correctly into the airport (Broadly from south to north). The helicopter was supposed to fly a course behind the jet after it had passed (from east to west, crossing the river). Apparently the most difficult position for pilots is where two aircraft approach in the same direction like the arms of a "V", this happened over the Grande Canyon in 1956. This shouldn't have been the case in DC as the two were flying courses at right angles, but for some reason the helicopter pilot turned a bit early to cross the river Ptomac. They were at 400 feet.

https://x.com/i/status/1884829450346586320

[klondike]

I'll make a completely uniformed comment. 

It seems odd to even potentially allow a helicopter to be flying across the path of incoming airliners.

[Ashy]

Defo questions to be answered about the traffic control in this area. 

[Mups]

I think it said on the news at tea time, that it was a Military helicopter.
All 3 on board died,  as well as the 64 people in the plane -  which ended up in the river.

[klondike]

I heard it was a training flight too.

[dextrous63]

This is horrible.  The chance of a plane travelling at maybe 3-400 mph being in exactly the same place at the same time as a helicopter is minuscule. 

One can only hope that death was immediate.

[klondike]

Certainly no chance of any avoidance manoeuvre in time but a plane landing is way lower than 300mph. 

[Mups]

Certainly no chance of any avoidance manoeuvre in time but a plane landing is way lower than 300mph.

You're right,  according to Mr. Google:


"The average take-off speed for commercial airliners is between 160 and 180 mph (260 and 290 km/h), while the average landing speed is between 150 and 165 mph (240 and 265 km/h). These speeds may vary depending on the size and model of the plane, as well as the load factor and fuel consumption".

[Ashy]

The maximum permissible altitude for the helicopter was 200 feet. For some reason it climbed to 400 feet and met the jet on its way down.

[Mups]

I read somewhere that they have retrieved the helicopter black box now.

[Ashy]

It's now been officially stated that the collision took place over the Potomac River at 325 feet (+/- 25 feet).