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NTSB info from Blackhawk helicopter’s black box recordings from the deadly DC crash
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:45 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:45 am
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If tweet fails to load, click here. quote:
BREAKING: The NTSB just dropped the Blackhawk helicopter’s black box recordings from the deadly Washington, DC crash with a commercial jet—and it’s a jaw-dropper.
Here’s what it tells us:
- Altitude Chaos: The chopper’s altimeter was off—way off. Pilot read 300 feet, instructor saw 400, but the real number? 278 feet—well above the 200-foot ceiling. They were flying blind on bad data.
-Missed Calls: Air traffic control screamed “pass behind the jet”—but the pilots didn’t hear it. The mic was keyed at the worst moment, drowning out the warning. Seconds later? Boom.
-Last-Second Panic: The jet’s pilots tried to pull up—nose pitched up just before impact. Too late. The Blackhawk crew? No clue what hit them ‘til it did.
-Night Vision Goggles: They were wearing them, but did they obscure the jet’s lights? Experts say it’s possible they locked onto the wrong target in DC’s crowded skies.
-This wasn’t just one mistake—it was a cascade of failures. 67 lives gone. NTSB says a prelim report’s coming soon, but this black box is already screaming: something was seriously broken that night. Share this—people need to know.
Check out @Brian.Murray on Youtube for more great insight like this.
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Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:49 am to cajunangelle
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:50 am to cajunangelle
Does anyone here know the process for setting altimeters for helos prior to take off? Do they have to adjust for density altitude prior to takeoff like with general aviation?
No excuse for different altimeter readings in the cockpit.
No excuse for different altimeter readings in the cockpit.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:50 am to cajunangelle
If the pilot and the instructor both saw altitude numbers much higher than the ceiling, and higher than the actual, shouldn’t they have corrected that asap? I mean, if they should be at 200 and they are reading 300 and 400, seems they should have been dropping altitude fast - am I missing something?
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:51 am to cajunangelle
Usually it isn't just one thing, it's a serious of unfortunate events that just piled one on top of the other. That's wild about the altimeter though.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:52 am to cajunangelle
quote:
Air traffic control screamed “pass behind the jet”
But did they really scream though?
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:53 am to cajunangelle
quote:
-This wasn’t just one mistake—it was a cascade of failures
And people got bashed for posting this after the accident.
The altimeter discrepancy was known almost immediately.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:56 am to SquatchDawg
quote:
Does anyone here know the process for setting altimeters for helos prior to take off? Do they have to adjust for density altitude prior to takeoff like with general aviation?
I would think that helo or aircraft altimeters need to be adjusted for weather conditions before each flight and sometimes even during flight.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:56 am to cajunangelle
Blackhawk fricked up big time.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:56 am to SquatchDawg
quote:
Does anyone here know the process for setting altimeters for helos prior to take off? Do they have to adjust for density altitude prior to takeoff like with general aviation?
No excuse for different altimeter readings in the cockpit.
Yes they have to set them using baro. There is one for each seat and they are supposed to match within a small margin. I believe they also have a radar altimeter as well, but I may be off on that.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:57 am to cajunangelle
Like others said, confused… cites altimeter being off, but even if, the instructor and pilot knew they were still above the 200ft.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:59 am to cajunangelle
I'm still shocked there haven't been mass firings in Army Aviation. All of this was stupid.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:59 am to RollTide1987
quote:
Usually it isn't just one thing, it's a serious of unfortunate events that just piled one on top of the other. That's wild about the altimeter though.
Yes, but here it’s a bit simpler. The helicopter was too high and wasn’t where it was supposed to be. No excuse for that, especially when you know you are right up against an airport with heavy civilian air traffic.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:01 am to dgnx6
quote:
Blackhawk fricked up big time.
Whoever came up with the training plan fricked up as well...
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:04 am to GumboPot
quote:
I would think that helo or aircraft altimeters need to be adjusted for weather conditions before each flight and sometimes even during flight.
I would be surprised this is not automated
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:05 am to cajunangelle
I’ve said and will continue to say, the primary fault was with ATC. It’s their job to keep aircraft out of conflict.
They, along with the military had established a protocol which gave the chopper, a much more maneuverable aircraft the leeway to visually control the conflict avoidance. That assumes several factors, and given they had a near miss the night before in similar circumstances showed this was dangerous.
They could see the 2 aircraft on a collision course, the alarm was going off and what does the ATC do? Asks the helicopter if he can see it, rather than giving them direct and immediate instructions which take the aircraft out of conflict.
The lack of urgency at the time to me is further demonstration of the frequency there were aircraft in close proximity but “nothing had happened yet”
That doesn’t absolve the chopper pilots for being over altitude, which also directly caused the impact. But they should not have been allowed into the airspace at that time to begin with
They, along with the military had established a protocol which gave the chopper, a much more maneuverable aircraft the leeway to visually control the conflict avoidance. That assumes several factors, and given they had a near miss the night before in similar circumstances showed this was dangerous.
They could see the 2 aircraft on a collision course, the alarm was going off and what does the ATC do? Asks the helicopter if he can see it, rather than giving them direct and immediate instructions which take the aircraft out of conflict.
The lack of urgency at the time to me is further demonstration of the frequency there were aircraft in close proximity but “nothing had happened yet”
That doesn’t absolve the chopper pilots for being over altitude, which also directly caused the impact. But they should not have been allowed into the airspace at that time to begin with
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:06 am to cajunangelle
This was more on whoever planned and authorized this training mission than on anyone in the copter imo
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:07 am to SPEEDY
It is said that the helo had their finger on the mic when that important instruction went out. 
I also heard it was speculated they had flown a VIP just prior to the crash.
Then it was said it was a training run only.
I also heard it was speculated they had flown a VIP just prior to the crash.
Then it was said it was a training run only.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:07 am to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
And people got bashed for posting this after the accident.
The altimeter discrepancy was known almost immediately.
Oh God, how did they ever face the day?
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:09 am to RohanGonzales
quote:
Oh God, how did they ever face the day?
With heads up asses, as usual
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