Key facts
- A US Army report found systemic failures led to a fatal collision between a regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter.
- Two broken radio transmissions prevented the helicopter crew from receiving critical information from air traffic control.
- Technical issues with the Black Hawk helicopter were also cited.
- The report noted a pattern of helicopter crews failing to fly semi-annual minimum hours.
- The report highlighted a lack of collaboration between the Army and the FAA on helicopter safety in the Washington area.
A US Army investigative report into the collision of a regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport found that the crash was the result of several systemic failures, according to a Reuters report.
The report, completed in May, identified two broken radio transmissions as a key factor, which prevented the helicopter crew from receiving critical details from air traffic control. Additional issues cited in the report included technical problems with the Black Hawk helicopter and a pattern of helicopter crews failing to fly semi-annual minimum hours. The report also highlighted a lack of collaboration between the Army and the FAA on helicopter safety in the Washington area.