Baffling Mid-Air Collision: Unseen DCA Footage Emerges

A CRJ700 jet operated by PSA Airlines, under contract with American Airlines, collided with a military H-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Tragically, this midair crash resulted in the loss of 67 lives. The collision occurred as the CRJ700 was on its final approach to runway 33, just across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital.

As a professional pilot, I shared my perspective on the incident, recognizing that the NTSB will conduct a detailed investigation. People questioned how the Black Hawk could have missed the bright landing lights of the CRJ700. However, the viral video of the crash didn’t capture the view from the helicopter’s perspective.

The Black Hawk approached from the side, where city lights can obscure visibility. Helicopters often climb in a nose-low position, which may have obstructed a direct line of sight to the CRJ. It’s puzzling why the military crew reported having the traffic in sight, suggesting they may have misidentified another aircraft, thus compromising their situational awareness.

The Black Hawk crew was operating under visual flight rules, emphasizing their responsibility to avoid other aircraft. It seems plausible that they called the wrong traffic in sight and inadvertently climbed into the path of the regional jet. This appears to be a tragic case of pilot error.

The regional jet was on its designated path and altitude. Speculation suggests that the Black Hawk, flying perpendicular to the approach path, might have been at an incorrect altitude and in a nose-low position without spotting the other aircraft. Recent videos bolster the theory of an accidental collision, dismissing claims of intentionality.

CNN obtained two videos presenting new angles of the midair collision. Both aircraft are seen flying towards each other before colliding and plummeting into the river. This footage offers significant insights into the sequence of events.

Contrary to some claims, the video does not indicate that the Black Hawk intentionally crashed into the CRJ. The helicopter’s nose-low attitude, visible from the rotor beacon position, restricted upward visibility. The use of night-vision goggles, as reported by the Department of Defense, would have further limited their view.

The CRJ’s landing lights, though bright, were less visible from the side, especially in clear conditions with minimal atmospheric moisture. Urban light pollution further complicates visibility. Spotting another aircraft so close to the ground is inherently challenging.

The regional jet was descending on its final approach, while the Black Hawk appeared to be climbing. This indicates that they were at different altitudes until impact. Essentially, the CRJ descended into the helicopter’s flight path, with the Black Hawk crew having limited upward visibility.

The CRJ was correctly positioned, whereas the Black Hawk deviated from its expected flight path. The helicopter’s crew, possibly distracted or confused, may have been looking in the wrong direction when warned by air traffic control. President Trump himself raised questions about the Black Hawk’s altitude discrepancy.

Several factors could explain this altitude issue: a sudden altitude gain, distraction, or incorrect altimeter settings. Each scenario remains plausible without suggesting intentional wrongdoing. The idea of the crew deliberately ramming the jet lacks credibility.

Two new videos obtained by CNN show new angles on Wednesday night’s midair collision above Washington DC.

In the videos both aircraft can clearly be seen flying towards each other, then exploding and falling into the river after the fatal explosion. pic.twitter.com/W89o5387fp

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 31, 2025

With three crew members aboard and no signs of a struggle, the notion of a coordinated intentional act is far-fetched. The helicopter maintained its flight path throughout the videos. Calculating such a collision without maneuvering is implausible.

This tragic incident seems to be a freak accident rather than a deliberate act. It’s essential to refrain from jumping to conclusions without evidence. The Black Hawk crew, while potentially at fault, were service members deserving of respect and understanding.

A circulating video showing “three near-misses” suggests prior attempts to ram other aircraft. However, those sharing the video lack substantial understanding of aviation dynamics. The incident remains under investigation, with the focus on uncovering factual insights.