Investigation Finds Pilot Errors Led to 67 Deaths in D.C. Mid-Air Collision

A New York Times investigation into the January 29, 2025, mid-air collision near Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, which killed 67 people, has found that pilot error, communication failures, and air traffic control issues contributed to the tragedy. The Black Hawk helicopter, piloted by Army Captain Rebecca Lobach, was flying above the permitted altitude when it collided with an American Airlines flight as both aircraft approached the airport. Lobach failed to heed repeated course change warnings from her co-pilot and Army flight instructor, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, just seconds before the crash. Investigators also cited miscommunications, including overlapping cockpit conversations that may have caused the crew to miss key instructions from air traffic control. The report highlights that the visual separation maneuver used by the helicopter was not executed properly and that Reagan National Airport has a history of near-miss incidents, with concerns about understaffed and unclear air traffic control procedures. The findings are expected to increase scrutiny of safety standards and oversight at the airport.