Washington’s plane crash last: 19 bodies recovered after American Airlines Jet collided with an army helicopter – The Independent

With three fatal events involving passenger planes in five weeks, it is understandable that some people will conclude that the risks are increasing, writes Independent correspondent, Simon Calder.

In fact, this decade is much more fascinating so far than any previous spell. The three catastrophes had completely different reasons, all of which are extremely rare: Aserbaijan Airlines, removed from the Russian anti -aircraft fire over the ugly of Christmas.

It was the first flight tragedy involving a passenger plane in 2024.

Jeju Air, four days later, crashed in circumstances that are yet to be fully explained, but seems to have included a bird blow. American Airlines, a collision in the middle of the air in loaded airspace.

The lessons will learn from all these tragedies and will contribute to future air safety.

The United Kingdom and Ireland have the best air safety records in the world.

The last fatal incident associated with a British passenger plane was in the 1980s – Kegworth’s crash.

The most secure airline around the world by PA

American Airlines 5342, operating as a Jet of PSA Airlines, has encountered the US Army of Sikorsky Blackhawk Helicopter, as the two flew near Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9:00 pm local time on Wednesday.

All 67 people on board both planes are afraid of dead, said Kansas senator Roger Marshall on Wednesday night.

None of the three crews of the helicopter are senior army officials, authorities said.

Nearly 20 bodies have been restored from the water, according to many networks.

All flights in and outside Washington, Ronald Reagan National Airport, were founded at least Thursday.

Madeline Sherrate There are details.

The National Council of the Transport Safety Council will study in great detail the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.

In many accidents, a sequence of incredible and unexpected events combine to cause a breakdown.

There is a lot of speculation, including President Trump, about the possible reasons. Much of this is useless and disturbing.

US helicopter instructor and former CRJ pilot, Philip Greenspun, has published some thoughts about what may have gone wrong.

He writes: “ATC review [air-traffic control] The recording indicates that there was enough space for a human mistake. “

Dr Greenspoon speculates that Black Hawk pilots may have said they could see the approaching plane while they were actually looking at a different aircraft.

“The most right -minded explanation is that the Black Hawk and DCA Tower crew spoke about two different airlines (ie speaking one after the other),” he writes.

Later, he added: “There were excellent people with excellent training in the airline, in the tower and in the black hawk. Everyone worked in the most restrictive low altitude airspace (Class B), which we have in the United States and by time-tested rules that have guaranteed safety despite congestion.

“At the same time, however, we have the restrictions in natural language (English) and the human brain that can adhere and engage in the first plausible aircraft that he sees.”

The independent ‘s veteran traveling correspondent Simon Calder It will continue to provide an analysis of the incident throughout the morning.

Fortunately, they are extremely rare, says IndependentTravel correspondent, Simon Calder.

On average so far there has been one year during this century, most of them participate small private aircraft and – or – helicopters.

All air trafficking pilots and controllers are focused on avoiding other “traffic” in the sky. All large passenger planes are equipped with a traffic avoidance system known as TCAS.

If a potential threat is identified, the system will issue a “resolution consultation”. Usually one plane will be instructed to climb and the other said to descend. Pilots are required to perform the maneuver indicated by the consulting resolution, even if it contradicts the instructions of air traffic controllers.

The tragedy in Washington included a military helicopter that has many different operational characteristics from a fixed wing aircraft. It is not known if it was equipped with TCAS, but in any case the system is inhibited when the planes are very close to the ground.