In the aftermath of the horrific crash between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet in Washington, D.C. in January, the mainstream media has worked overtime to blame the Trump administration and deflect any responsibility from the female helicopter pilot. Not only is this a prime display of yellow journalism; it’s a massive disservice to the public.
Back in March the NTSB released a preliminary report on the accident in which they issued two urgent safety recommendations related to the operation of helicopters on routes along the Potomac River when particular runways at Ronald Reagan National Airport are in use. That report also outlined communications between the air traffic controllers and both aircraft in the moments leading up to the crash, noting multiple instances in which the pilot, Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, ignored directives and warnings given by her flight instructor – two directives to decrease altitude, and a warning to turn left immediately before the crash. That last warning was less than 20 seconds before impact, as the report indicates:
[A]t 2047:44, the crew of PAT25 indicated that traffic was in sight and requested visual separation, which was approved by DCA tower. CVR data indicated that, following this transmission, the IP told the pilot they believed ATC was asking for the helicopter to move left toward the east bank of the Potomac.
At that time news outlets understandably focused on the unusual moves the NTSB took in issuing two urgent recommendations to the FAA and less on the communications between controllers and the aircraft – and between Lobach and her instructor pilot. One reason for that is because the NTSB’s report was preliminary and did not include all communications, and if the final report including additional information came to different conclusions, no outlet wants to have egg on its face.