NTSB Investigates Miscommunication in D.C. Midair Collision

NTSB Investigates Miscommunication in D.C. Midair Collision \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Investigators suggest the Army Black Hawk crew may have had incorrect altitude readings and missed key air traffic control instructions before colliding with an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C. The crash, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft, remains under investigation, with concerns over radio interference and night vision goggles possibly contributing to the tragedy.

D.C. Midair Collision Investigation: Quick Looks

• Altitude Confusion – Conflicting readings in the Black Hawk cockpit may have contributed to the crash.
• Missed Instructions – A blocked radio transmission may have prevented the crew from hearing a critical directive.
• Stepped-On Communication – Simultaneous microphone transmissions may have obscured air traffic control guidance.
• Night Vision Complications – Investigators believe the crew was wearing night vision goggles throughout the flight.
• Final Report Timeline – The NTSB’s full report could take over a year to complete.
• Evasive Maneuvers – The American Airlines jet angled upward just before impact, possibly attempting to avoid collision.
• Experienced Crew – The Army pilots had extensive training for operating in crowded airspace.

Deep Look

The tragic midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 29 may have been influenced by faulty altitude data and incomplete radio communications, according to federal investigators.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is examining whether the Black Hawk crew had incorrect altitude readings in the moments before the crash and if they missed critical air traffic control instructions due to a stepped-on radio transmission—a well-known issue in aviation where simultaneous transmissions interfere with communication.

Radio Miscommunication: A Critical Factor

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy revealed that a recording from the Black Hawk cockpit suggests the crew did not fully hear an air traffic controller’s directive to “pass behind” the American Airlines jet.

“That transmission was interrupted—it was stepped on,” Homendy explained.

This means that at the crucial moment, the helicopter pilots were unable to hear vital guidance about adjusting their position relative to the jetliner. Additionally, another transmission from air traffic control—informing the Black Hawk crew that the jet was switching runways—may have also been partially lost or unheard.

Altitude Discrepancies in the Black Hawk Cockpit

Altitude confusion is another major factor in the investigation. According to Homendy, cockpit recordings indicate discrepancies between the crew members’ altitude readings.

• The helicopter’s pilot stated they were at 300 feet (91 meters).
• The instructor pilot reported a different reading: 400 feet (122 meters).
• Data from the helicopter’s black box (radio altimeter) indicated an altitude of 278 feet (85 meters) at the time of impact.

Investigators are now examining whether the Black Hawk’s barometric altimeters—the primary altitude reference for pilots—were providing inaccurate data.

“We are looking at the possibility there may be bad data,” Homendy confirmed.

The Black Hawk model involved in the crash typically has two altimeter systems:

1. Barometric Altimeter – Measures altitude based on air pressure.
2. Radio Altimeter – Uses radar to determine height above ground.

Since helicopter pilots primarily rely on barometric readings, investigators caution that the radio altitude recorded in the black box may not reflect what the crew actually saw in the cockpit.

Night Vision Goggles: Possible Impact on Situational Awareness

The Black Hawk was conducting a “check flight”—a routine mission for pilot testing. The pilot was undergoing an annual proficiency test that included night vision goggle (NVG) training.

Investigators believe the crew was wearing night vision goggles throughout the flight, which may have impacted peripheral vision and depth perception.

Aviation safety expert William Waldock suggested the pilots may have mistaken a different plane for the one they were instructed to avoid, possibly focusing on a departing jet instead of the American Airlines flight that was descending for landing.

“If they did indeed lock onto that departing airplane and assume that’s the traffic they were supposed to be avoiding, they didn’t see the other airplane coming,” Waldock said.

Evasive Action in Final Moments

Moments before impact, the American Airlines jet angled upward, an action that aviation experts interpret as an evasive maneuver.

• Waldock and retired pilot John Cox agreed that this last-second movement suggests the airline crew recognized the impending collision and attempted to avoid it.
• However, at an altitude of approximately 325 feet (99 meters), there may have been insufficient time or space for the maneuver to be effective.

Who Had Responsibility for Avoidance?

Two minutes before the crash, the helicopter pilots accepted responsibility for visual separation—meaning they had acknowledged their duty to maintain a safe distance from the jetliner.

According to John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, once the helicopter crew accepted “visual separation”, they were fully responsible for avoiding the other aircraft.

“At that moment, the helicopter becomes responsible for separation, period.”

Cox also noted that if the Black Hawk crew suspected they had missed any crucial information from air traffic control, they could have requested a repeat transmission.

The Victims and Their Stories

The crash was the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2001, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft.

Black Hawk Crew

The Army confirmed that the Black Hawk crew consisted of highly experienced personnel familiar with Washington, D.C.’s congested airspace:

• Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, 32 – A skilled pilot known for her meticulous approach to flying.
• Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28 – The crew chief, responsible for the helicopter’s operations.
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39 – An experienced pilot from Great Mills, Maryland.

American Airlines Crew and Passengers

The 34-year-old pilot, Jonathan Campos, had dreamed of flying since childhood. The jet was carrying a diverse group of passengers, including:

• A group of hunters returning home.
• Students and parents from northern Virginia schools.
• Members of the Skating Club of Boston, who had attended a junior skating development camp following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Political Reaction and Controversy

Following the crash, President Donald Trump made controversial remarks, blaming the accident on:

• The helicopter flying too high.
• Federal diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly in air traffic control hiring.

When pressed for evidence, Trump was unable to substantiate his claims. Days later, he shifted blame to what he called an “obsolete” air traffic control system.

Ongoing Investigation

The NTSB expects the full report to take over a year, with investigators still probing multiple factors. Homendy emphasized that they are only weeks into the process and that many questions remain unanswered.

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