Plane crash in DC plane and chopper in Potomac River (Sadly there were NO survivors)

"Cross behind" would be a common phrase. In response to your hit the brakes, absolutely correct. The blackhawk pilot could have requested to hold their position and allow traffic to continue in front of..or advised the controller, "we are just going to make a 360 to ensure we remain X of the arrival" provided they felt the need.

 

It doesn’t technically blame the Biden administration in as much as (at least that memo) doesn’t actually assign blame, it merely notes that temporally the crash “followed” the actions of the Biden administration.

That’s technically true (although it’s also technically true that the crash “followed” me eating Chipotle for dinner last night). Of course it’s designed to let you read between the lines and imply blame, but everyone knows that technically true is the best kind of truth.



For the actual serious comment, doesn’t appear to be an actual executive order, it’s a presidential memorandum. And it is actually directing the Secretary of Transportation to do something, so in that regard it’s consistent with the purpose of a presidential memorandum, it’s just got inflammatory language.

And as for the question of whether Biden issued executive orders blaming Trump for things, yes. Presenting the intro to the January 20, 2021 Presidential Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States:

“… Nevertheless, the previous administration enacted a number of Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations that prevented certain individuals from entering the United States — first from primarily Muslim countries, and later, from largely African countries. Those actions are a stain on our national conscience and are inconsistent with our long history of welcoming people of all faiths and no faith at all.

Beyond contravening our values, these Executive Orders and Proclamations have undermined our national security. They have jeopardized our global network of alliances and partnerships and are a moral blight that has dulled the power of our example the world over. …”

There’s also the January 26, 2021 Presidential Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States:

“The Federal Government must recognize that it has played a role in furthering these xenophobic sentiments through the actions of political leaders, including references to the COVID-19 pandemic by the geographic location of its origin. Such statements have stoked unfounded fears and perpetuated stigma about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and have contributed to increasing rates of bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against AAPI persons.”

While those are both definitely written using less inflammatory language, they both more directly blame the first Trump administration for things than Trump’s memo today does.

 

I’ve watched this guy’s videos for awhile and he seems legit. Thought I would share his initial observations.

 

Here is one of the best links I have found today describing procedures and what transpired. Well worth the watch. Juan does a good job covering aviation related mishaps. He is factual as he can possibly be and doesn't speculate too much. Now, after watching his video, the overlay with timestamped communication & watching the radar playback the tower had in real time...I'm sick to the point my stomach hurts. Thanks to the video, many variables are now known one can make more informed statements.

Here are a few of my thoughts. I'm not touching DEI other than to say it might or it might not be a factor. Either one could be factually true.

1. Most likely inadequate/short sighted procedures. A procedure that potentially allows more than one aircraft to operate with less than 100' separation without other restrictions applied is horribly short sighted and unsafe. The other alternative is the controller ignored restrictions in a procedure. Either or is on the table without reading the specific agreement between flying organizations and ATC.
2. Lack of positive control by the controller / at least two specific requirements weren't followed that I can cite. Incorrect application of visual separation and also a lack of issuance Traffic/Safety alerts. Ample time to have issued control instructions to fix the Army pilot's screw up. It's as simple as instructing the helicopter to "descend immediately to at or below 200' and hold position" or descend immediately to at or below 200' and remain north of final to Runway 33" when the radar CA went off at least 15 seconds prior to impact. That simple. This become ATCs number one priority when the CA alarm went off. Chances are you now have a near miss and a deviation is filed on the army pilot. Instead the controller asked the helo to confirm he still had the airliner in sight. Too late to be asking that question.
3. Lack of situational awareness by the military pilot (wearing NVGs in this environment reduces SA greatly) I'd like to know Army guidance here. I'm amazed its allowed in a high density area.
3a. Military Pilot deviation from established procedure. The helo route had a hard published altitude not to exceed 200'. Provided his Mode C/3A readout was correct on radar and he had the proper altimeter input, he was around 300' at impact. He was also slightly off course with regard to the established procedure. Had he followed established procedure, we'd never hear of the near miss, but everyone would be alive and we none the wiser.
4. Staffing challenges that have continued since Reagan fired controllers and have continued through every single administration since. They only have 19 of 30 controller positions filled. Guys and Gals are overworked, averaging 6 days per week upward of 10 hours per day. Add they are continuously rotating shifts day to day, every week. Congress, NATCA Union and FAA leadership should be to blame. For decades and still today, you can't hire on if past the age of 32 and then forced mandatory retirements at age 56. Some exceptions apply. This is a major problem. Leads to inexperience. Inexperience teaching inexperience leads to a degradation of services. Exhibit one is this midair. Never should have happened.

I hate to play Monday morning QB on a political message forum, but there are so many glaring deficiencies. Ultimately the military pilot is the final authority to the safe operation of his aircraft and stated he had the regional jet in sight so he will carry most of the blame. The Army, the ATC crew on duty and FAA management "should" have a moderate level of responsibility in this unfortunate accident. Curious to see if honesty carries the day.