Investigation Reveals Helicopter Crew Missed Key Instructions Before Deadly Collision

Investigators have revealed that the crew of the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the midair collision with an American Airlines jet near Washington D.C. may not have heard critical instructions from air traffic control to pass behind the plane. National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy noted that the helicopter’s cockpit recording indicates the crew missed this key transmission due to their microphone being activated at the same time. The collision occurred on January 29 and resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft, marking it as the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since 2001. The investigation is also examining the helicopter's altitude, as discrepancies were noted between the pilot's and instructor's reports regarding its height. All major wreckage from both aircraft has been recovered, and further details are expected from the NTSB briefing. The incident has raised concerns about air traffic safety as it follows a series of recent aviation incidents.