Crash investigation underway after black hawk, plane collide
The new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced that the crashed Black Hawk helicopter crew was highly experienced and performing an annual night flying test. He stated that the ongoing investigation would determine whether the helicopter followed the appropriate flight path.
On Wednesday, a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger plane during a night training flight. The new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, emphasized that the crew was experienced and was conducting an annual night flying test.
Hegseth announced that an investigation had been launched to determine if the helicopter was flying the correct path and at the proper altitude. In a video posted on platform X, Hegseth noted that the crew was equipped with night vision goggles, which should have helped to conduct the flight safely.
Operational pause for the unit
The soldiers belonged to the 12th Aviation Battalion of the US Army, which is stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. They have been ordered to take a 48-hour operational pause. This decision aims to enable a thorough analysis of the accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Hegseth expressed hope that the investigation will quickly provide answers to questions regarding the cause of the accident.
The Bombardier CRJ 700 passenger plane of American Airlines, operated by PSA Airlines, was flying from Wichita on Wednesday evening. It collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter just before reaching the runway at Ronald Reagan Airport in Arlington, near Washington, D.C.
Onboard the Bombardier were 64 passengers and four crew members. The U.S. Army press services reported that three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, and all are most likely deceased.
