Summary:
- Former President Donald Trump claimed the military helicopter was flying above the designated 200-foot limit before colliding mid-air with an American Airlines plane.
- A New York Times report cited sources stating the Black Hawk helicopter deviated from its approved flight path and exceeded the altitude restriction.
- Air traffic controllers had instructed the helicopter pilot to stay within a specific route, but the pilot did not comply, leading to the crash.
Former President Donald Trump has attributed the recent mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., to the altitude of a military helicopter, stating that it was flying significantly higher than the permitted limit. “The Black Hawk helicopter was flying too high—far beyond the 200-foot restriction. That’s not difficult to grasp, is it?” Trump wrote in a social media post.
His comments followed a New York Times investigation that questioned whether the helicopter had strayed from its assigned altitude and flight path. According to the report, the Army Black Hawk was flying at a greater height than authorized and was nearly half a mile off course when it collided with the commercial jet.
Sources familiar with the situation told NYT that the helicopter was originally required to fly at a lower altitude and remain within a designated corridor in the congested airspace around Reagan National Airport.
The collision raised concerns about flight coordination. Before entering the commercial airspace, the helicopter pilot had sought permission from air traffic control to follow a predetermined route, which ensured an altitude of no more than 200 feet along the Potomac River. This route was specifically designed to avoid conflicts with commercial planes. The helicopter pilot visually identified the American Airlines jet and was instructed to maintain the designated path while trailing behind the aircraft.
However, according to the NYT report, the pilot deviated from the instructed course. Instead of staying below 200 feet, the helicopter was flying at an altitude exceeding 300 feet and had veered at least half a mile from the approved route when the collision occurred.
Conclusion:
The mid-air collision highlights critical concerns regarding adherence to air traffic regulations. While Trump pointed to the helicopter’s altitude as the primary issue, reports indicate the incident stemmed from a combination of deviation from approved routes and miscommunication between the pilot and air traffic control. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of responsibility in this tragic event.
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