Night-Vision Goggles May Have Hampered Pilots Before Fatal DC Midair Crash

Experts testifying at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearings indicated that the U.S. Army helicopter pilots involved in the fatal midair collision over Washington in January would have struggled to spot the passenger jet while using night-vision goggles, which limited their peripheral vision and made it difficult to see the plane's colored lights. This issue was compounded by the challenge of distinguishing the plane from ground lights and the possibility that the helicopter pilots were unaware of the plane landing on a rarely used secondary runway. The collision, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft, highlighted a small margin of error for helicopters flying near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where the Black Hawk was flying above prescribed levels. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve safety measures, noting the agency had ignored prior warnings about the hazards of heavy helicopter traffic near the airport. While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, the testimonies emphasize the need for better protocols and awareness to prevent similar tragedies. The final NTSB report is expected next year.