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Potomac Crash: Air Traffic Controller (ATC) dialogue with US Army Helicopter (PAT25) [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-01
Actual dialogue between the Reagan National Air Traffic Control (ATC)tower and the US Army Black Hawk Helicopter(PAT25):
ATC: PAT25 traffic just south of the Woodrow Bridge[approximatley 5-6 miles from the airport], a CRJ, it’s 1200 feet setting up for runway 33.
From the Black Hawk helicopter: PAT25 has the traffic in sight. Request visual Separation.
ATC: Visual Separation Approved.
ATC Tower Two quick keyed the mic sounds: CONFLICT ALERT WARNINGS.
ATC: PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight? then from ATC: PAT25 pass below the CRJ.
PAT25: PAT25 has the aircraft in sight. Request Visual Seperation (2nd request)
ATC: [Vis Sep approved].
These communications between the helicopter and the air traffic controller happened within a few seconds. There was no talk between the ATC and the CRJ5342 (the airplane that was hit by the helicopter). They were lining up to land in the ordinary flight path to Runway 33.
Captain Steeve has flew into Reagan National many times. When The Army helicopter requested and was granted by ATC [Request Visual Separation]they took responsibilty for their flight path.
When PAT25 said they have the traffic in sight they might have been looking at the aircraft behind them flight3130, five or six miles away, and not the aircraft they hit which was closer to them.
The ATC warned them and directed them to pass below the CRJ.
I understand that the military helicopter are directed to not fly higher than 200 feet and when the disaster hit they were at about 300-350 feet, above where they should have been.
Who was at fault. I don’t know. The Air Traffic Controller was warning them about the incoming flights.
Thoughts and prayers for their families.
[END]
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