In a tragic turn of events, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines plane near the Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., resulting in the deaths of 67 people on Tuesday night. This devastating incident took place in one of the most tightly restricted air spaces in the United States.
For years, pilots have raised concerns about the helicopter routes in D.C., and a recent investigation by The Wall Street Journal sheds light on the potential factors that may have contributed to this fatal crash. The video investigation delves into the helicopter corridors, airport runway paths, and light pollution that could have played a role in the tragedy.
The visual examination by WSJ provides insight into the flight rules surrounding D.C., showing how the complex airspace regulations can present challenges for pilots navigating the area. The video also details what took place during the crash, offering viewers a glimpse into the chaos and confusion that unfolded in the moments leading up to the collision.
Furthermore, the investigation highlights the issue of air traffic control staffing and altitude management, emphasizing the importance of proper communication and coordination in preventing such accidents from occurring in the future. By analyzing the data and evidence surrounding the crash, WSJ aims to uncover the truth behind this devastating event and inform the public about the risks involved in flying in restricted air spaces like D.C.
As the aviation community mourns the loss of those affected by this tragedy, it is crucial to address the concerns raised by pilots regarding the safety of helicopter routes in high-traffic areas. With the help of visual investigations like the one performed by WSJ, we can work towards preventing similar accidents and ensuring the safety of all those who take to the skies.
Watch the video by The Wall Street Journal
Video “Why This D.C. Helicopter Route Has Worried Pilots for Years | WSJ” was uploaded on 02/01/2025 to Youtube Channel The Wall Street Journal
Why haven't they released the names of all tge black hawk pilots???? We know why.
With all these restricted areas and congestion problems perhaps Washington should have built its airport farther outside the city like a lot of other major cities have done? But probably didn't, and won't, happen because all the politicians didn't/won't want to tag on an extra 20 minutes or so on to their airport commute.
This was really overdue as some genius allowed all this activity in a very tight area.
And Donnie and Elon are idiots.
Think about if flying cars were invented by now how many air collisions there would be
I hope the Army is prohibited from flying through that corridor in the future to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.
Having a helicopter flight path that crosses so close to a landing approach seems insane to me. It's probably just really good luck this hasn't happened before.
The person that thought up this bright idea to fly helicopters across the path of a busy airport needs to be held responsible.
The truth of the matter is too many Military Helicopter training going on during night hours over Northern VA. They don’t have a high enough ceiling so the fly low, waking people up, and something like this was bound to happen.
1:33 thanks for super-helpful graphics / animations!👍🤘
Dollars spending technology… Wake-up call countries usa technology .
It's actually very common for the US military to kill civilians. 😮💨
Everybody needs to stop asking questions. Just believe what they tell us. The New Normal!
Hygienic Defense
Certain group of "people" told me this was DEI.
Man cannot manage his technology.
We just got another episode of Mayday Airdisaters😪🙌🏻
Scary to realise how easily you can bring down a civilian aircraft with the use of drone
We need smaller government. Why do we have ATC, let everyone fly free for all. Stupid republicans.
67 lives late
Those suggesting that "something must be done" about the civil/military mix at this airport need to recognize that the airlines are the "special invited guest" at this primary military and government facility, and any restrictions will affect the airlines and not the military. There have been multiple calls over the decades to exclude commercial traffic from this airport, and the objections have arisen from the flying public.
Just be aware, if there's going to be any "ban" or exclusion it will be on commercial aircraft, who have their own dedicated facility out at IAD, and in no case on the military and government operations who prioritize this facility.
Be careful what you wish for.
Does anyone know who was flying that helicopter?
What's with the bloop bloop sound on the video?
They need to change the routes for helicopters
Was the flight just a regular commercial flight?
Chopper responsible to avoid planes coming and going. Sad.
I’m by no means a professional but anyone aware of the path would be concerned about it. There’s just so much deconfliction going on. It was only a matter of time before the holes lined up.
So like lets say you're in a helicopter and your told to go directly into something. Wouldn't you just not? Because you know its death? Unless its your job? We have literal drones flying around, and we pretend like we can't make one look like a helicopter?
This is more a failure of our military's radar system on the helicopter than anything address it
Helicopters are now permanently banned from flying through that route.
that helicoper route should have never been allowed
It may have worried them, but these tragedies only happened under trump.
Another crash in philly just in!!!!!!
Nobody had a problem except for the unnamed female pilot.
It worried them so much they built a additional runway- doesn't sound worried
where were all these worried experts leading up to the crash?
Maybe forcing out the FAA head and forcing out air traffic controllers was a bad idea, eh? But no, let's just bring that up as a footnote. Not like that happens a shocking week right before the first air collision in years
I'll spend the extra $ to fly into/out of small airports that aren't as busy. Safer!
" May have risen above 300 ft ". From impact with the jet to impact with the water took that helicopter 3 seconds. I'll go with the 300 ft. The blades are 58 ft By themselves So a difference of 100 ft is crazy.
Read more about how a plane and a helicopter collided in a crowded airspace around Reagan Airport: https://on.wsj.com/40IbL2i