NTSB Notes Altitude ‘Discrepancy’ in Midair Collision

The Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) mentioned there might have been an altitude discrepancy between each plane concerned in a deadly collision over the Potomac River throughout a press convention in Washington, D.C., on Friday afternoon.

The press briefing comes simply over two weeks after a midair collision occurred between a PSA CRJ-700 and U.S. Military Black Hawk helicopter close to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport on Jan. 29.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy detailed a number of key elements within the collision throughout Friday’s briefing.

Altitude Discrepancy

Homendy mentioned that the crew aboard the Black Hawk helicopter have been on an Military “test journey,” which utilized evening imaginative and prescient goggles. She mentioned that NTSB believed the crew was all carrying these evening imaginative and prescient goggles.

Throughout the test journey, the helicopter was operated by a pilot and teacher. Homendy mentioned that at 8:43 p.m. ET, 5 minutes earlier than the collision, the Black Hawk’s pilot indicated the helicopter was at 300 ft, whereas the trainer pilot mentioned they have been at 400 ft.

“Neither pilot made a remark discussing an altitude discrepancy,” she added. “Presently, we don’t know why there was a discrepancy between the 2. That’s one thing that the investigative workforce is analyzing.”

The radio altitude of the Black Hawk was 278 ft, although Homendy cautioned that this isn’t what the crew might have seen on their devices.

As well as, the helicopter was geared up with ADS-B Out capabilities, however investigators have no idea why it wasn’t transmitting.

Transmission Hassle

Homendy mentioned at 8:46 p.m., a radio transmission from the air visitors management tower was audible on the CRJ’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) informing the Black Hawk that visitors simply south of the Wilson Bridge was a CRJ at 1,200 ft “circling” to Runway 33.

“CVR knowledge from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission stating the CRJ was ‘circling’ might not have been acquired by the Black Hawk crew,” she mentioned. “We hear the phrase ‘circling’ in ATC communications, however we don’t hear the phrase ‘circling’ on the CVR of the Black Hawk. The recorders group is evaluating this proper now.”

At 8:47 p.m., 17 seconds earlier than impression, the Black Hawk was directed by air visitors management to “move behind” the CRJ. Homendy mentioned that this radio transmission was audible on each CVRs.

“CVR knowledge from the Black Hawk indicated that the portion of the transmission that acknowledged ‘move behind the’ might not have been acquired by the Black Hawk crew,” she mentioned. “Transmission was stepped on by a 0.8-second mic key from the Black Hawk. The Black Hawk was keying the mic to speak with [air traffic control].”

Homendy added that the NTSB is seeing “conflicting data within the knowledge,” which is why the company isn’t releasing altitude for the Black Hawk’s complete route.

Final week, the stays of all 67 victims from each plane have been recovered and recognized. Recovery efforts by Unified Command within the Potomac River have been accomplished earlier this week, and all airport runways were reopened as of Monday.

Ryan based AirlineGeeks.com again in February 2013 and has amassed appreciable expertise within the aviation sector. His work has been featured in a number of publications and information retailers, together with CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Enterprise Insider. Throughout his time within the trade, he is labored in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations whereas holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Administration from Arizona State College together with an MBA. Ryan has expertise in a number of sides of the trade from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline trade executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks’ proprietor FLYING Media, spearheading protection within the industrial aviation area.

Newest posts by Ryan Ewing (see all)