Helicopter Black Box Points to Tower error...

[Sunsettommy]

I haven't seen/ heard details about the helicopter black box yet. But IF the tower directed them to the 2 o'clock position.........then it seems the tower may be at fault.

Wouldn't you think though that eyes on the plane might have told them to go 10 o'clock?

Seems to me the biggest error was being at the wrong elevation for that Helicopter if true that the pilot had it at 350 feet then all other errors quickly become secondary because that one error is the dominant cause of the collision, if it was at 200 feet and lower as it was supposed to be there would be NO collision at all.

[old dog]

Black Hawk helicopter in D.C. plane crash had a safety system off, Senator Cruz

The Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Eagle flight over the Potomac River late last month was flying with a safety system turned off, Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters Thursday following a closed door briefing by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

He said senators were told the helicopter had its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system turned off. Military aircraft are allowed to fly with that system off.

ADS-B provides detailed granular information to track aircraft locations. The Blackhawk had a transponder, so it would have appeared on radar and was providing flight data, though the ADS-B is much more accurate.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-hawk-...ator-says/

[Billy_Bob Patriot Master]

Black Hawk helicopter in D.C. plane crash had a safety system off, Senator Cruz

The Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Eagle flight over the Potomac River late last month was flying with a safety system turned off, Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters Thursday following a closed door briefing by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

He said senators were told the helicopter had its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system turned off. Military aircraft are allowed to fly with that system off.

ADS-B provides detailed granular information to track aircraft locations. The Blackhawk had a transponder, so it would have appeared on radar and was providing flight data, though the ADS-B is much more accurate.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/black-hawk-...ator-says/

That was part of the initial report by the NTSB.  The Crash (Collision) Avoidance System was turned off according to the black box. The CAS is normally turned off when the helicopter is actively in a Continuation Of Government operation. This system can be used to target these helicopters and that is why they turn them off.  In this instance, a training flight, I think it should have been left on. Just my opinion.

[Freewill]

I didn't realize this, but it is reported that the altimeter needs set by the flight crews.  It is also reported that it isn't easy to do. 

That's false the altimeter is set every time before take off using the local barometric pressure to ensure it properly reads ASL in flight.

I am not seeing where what you posted and what I posted are different.

---

It is now being released that there was a Collison warning on the passenger jet, which when flying at low attitude is common.  Wouldn't do much good since the passenger jet couldn't see the helicopter.

[PeteS in CA]

It is now being released that there was a Collison warning on the passenger jet, which when flying at low attitude is common.  Wouldn't do much good since the passenger jet couldn't see the helicopter.

A plane in final approach has less flexibility that a plane at altitude. And as you said, not knowing where the other craft is makes avoidance maneuvers pretty much impossible.