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Jet collides with helicopter near D.C.

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game
Rest in peace to all the souls on board.

Can't believe people are politicizing this. Jesus christ. Social media is a plague - every hair brain with an agenda trying to break some morsel of "news" so they can twist it to support the narrative they've been pushing. It completely poisons the discourse. Just wait for the fucking investigation.
 
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And right here is the final piece of the puzzle, Vladimir Putin, angry with the state of his nation's figure skating program, ordered his secret asset codename: Orange Man to have a drone Blackhawk autonomously intercept and neutralize a flight of essentially defectors from the Russian Figure Skating Program and their progeny, thus getting vengeance but also crippling US prospects in future Winter Olympics.
Always Sunny Reaction GIF
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
And right here is the final piece of the puzzle, Vladimir Putin, angry with the state of his nation's figure skating program, ordered his secret asset codename: Orange Man to have a drone Blackhawk autonomously intercept and neutralize a flight of essentially defectors from the Russian Figure Skating Program and their progeny, thus getting vengeance but also crippling US prospects in future Winter Olympics.
Always Sunny Reaction GIF
kingsley shut up GIF


This is where your mind decided to go.
 

Dr.Guru of Peru

played the long game

"Just asking questions"?

Really?
Who the fuck is this guy "asking"?
Now we have 600 morons who think this plane was downed by some DARPA conspiracy shit because an autonomous helicopter was publicly tested in Connecticut a few weeks ago. Brilliant fucking idea broadcasting your cloak and dagger conspiracy to the entire world a few weeks before you carry out the murder of 60+ people.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
"Just asking questions"?

Really?
Who the fuck is this guy "asking"?
Now we have 600 morons who think this plane was downed by some DARPA conspiracy shit because an autonomous helicopter was publicly tested in Connecticut a few weeks ago. Brilliant fucking idea broadcasting your cloak and dagger conspiracy to the entire world a few weeks before you carry out the murder of 60+ people.
I'm not going down that road, it could also have been as simple as a training accident with the tech. If it were used, of course.

It was tested to the public last year, not a few weeks ago.
 
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Paltheos

Member
GAF cannot help themselves. The number of dumpster-tier posts in this thread is pissing me off. I won't deny part of the reason is not because it's inappropriate but because I personally disagree with a lot of the takes, but this is why politics are supposedly banned on GAF to begin with (because people just get into angry shouting matches).

Some people I disagree with btw are being more level-headed, but unveiled political favoritism and hate speech are pretty fucked. Not really surprising either unfortunately but today I felt like saying something about it.
 

Susurrus

Member
Why the fuck was that helicopter even there?

I don't understand why the Helicopter was allowed to fly across the flight paths like that? Shouldn't airports have exclusion zones around active routes?


I live here. While I can't speak specifically on this helicopter, it is very common for helicopters from many organizations to fly up and down the Potomac river, which is where this landing path goes. The helicopters provide security for the area, look at a Google Maps where this was and you'll see exactly why. This is nothing new, it has been this way since the beginning of air navigation. Now why an Army helicopter was doing a training mission at night? I'm not sure.
 

Tams

Member
"January 20: FAA director fired
January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years"

Is this true?

If you think any of that would have had an effect in a week, then you are truly stupid.

You are silly for bringing those issues up; just as Trump is silly for bringing up DEI (even as a response to reporters' questions).
 

EverydayBeast

ChatGPT 0.001
RIP.

Not smart on the helicopter to be there, you can fly anywhere and you choose next to a busy airport with planes flying in and out.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
I live here. While I can't speak specifically on this helicopter, it is very common for helicopters from many organizations to fly up and down the Potomac river, which is where this landing path goes. The helicopters provide security for the area, look at a Google Maps where this was and you'll see exactly why. This is nothing new, it has been this way since the beginning of air navigation. Now why an Army helicopter was doing a training mission at night? I'm not sure.
I'm hearing reports that when they're in that area (the helis), they're only supposed to be at 200 feet. Why was the helicopter climbing and turning into the landing path at 400 feet, is the million dollar question.
 
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adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?

DeepEnigma

Gold Member

The air traffic controller working at the time of the deadly plane-helicopter crash in Washington was doing the work of two people, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Staffing in the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the FAA found in its preliminary report, according to the New York Times.
This led to the controller who was handling helicopters in the airport’s vicinity to also be the one in charge of instructing planes landing and departing the runways. The jobs are normally assigned to two people, not one.
The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years, with only 19 fully certified controllers on deck as of September 2023, according to Congress’ Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan report.

The facility should have had 30 on deck, as per the goal set by the FAA and controller’s union.
 

DrFigs

Member
If you think any of that would have had an effect in a week, then you are truly stupid.

You are silly for bringing those issues up; just as Trump is silly for bringing up DEI (even as a response to reporters' questions).
Yeah as if air traffic controllers being short staffed and having the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded would have any immediate effects on aviation safety.
 
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Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
Holy shit. That’s right by my office. Guess I’ll work from home tomorrow.
Oh shit we’re neighbors. (Ish… my fiancée’s office is also very close by)
 
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this most likely doesn't have anything to do with DEI or Trump, as much as I hate both. and from the ATC recording, it dooesn't sound like it's an ATC issue. probably just the person flying the Blackhawk misidentified the flight ATC told him/her to beware of and focused too much on the departing flight instead of the incoming landing flight.
 

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
Damn we got lots of DMV bros on GAF.

I’m close to Dulles but I work downtown.
I live up in silver spring, but am often in the DC area
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
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DeepEnigma

Gold Member
Yeah as if air traffic controllers being short staffed and having the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded would have any immediate effects on aviation safety.
READ:

The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years, with only 19 fully certified controllers on deck as of September 2023, according to Congress’ Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan report.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
READ:

The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years, with only 19 fully certified controllers on deck as of September 2023, according to Congress’ Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan report.
Yep. This is one of the toughest jobs to get. I highly doubt they were letting DEI people get hired there. The staffers, managers and admins around the ATCs? sure. But the actual Air Traffic Controllers? Nah. It's like the Navy Seals. You cant DEI your way into it. You have to earn it.

We have had several close calls over the years at other airports. there was one just a couple of weeks ago that was all over twitter. This was only a matter of time. lets hope they get the funding and personnel they need going forward.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
Yep. This is one of the toughest jobs to get. I highly doubt they were letting DEI people get hired there. The staffers, managers and admins around the ATCs? sure. But the actual Air Traffic Controllers? Nah. It's like the Navy Seals. You cant DEI your way into it. You have to earn it.

We have had several close calls over the years at other airports. there was one just a couple of weeks ago that was all over twitter. This was only a matter of time. lets hope they get the funding and personnel they need going forward.
Oh but they were (the FAA the last 4 years) and why there is a lawsuit.
 

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes


Welp. Heads are gonna roll and that place will be under a microscope for years.

This is our nation's capital people. An airport literally handling congressmen and foreign dignitaries. Understaffed despite warnings from FAA themselves.

i understand its difficult to train these guys and it can take several years, but there has to be a way around these staff shortages. You have army bases everywhere in that area flying black hawks. get some of the army guys to come in handle traffic there.
 

Kacho

Gold Member
This is our nation's capital people. An airport literally handling congressmen and foreign dignitaries. Understaffed despite warnings from FAA themselves.

i understand its difficult to train these guys and it can take several years, but there has to be a way around these staff shortages. You have army bases everywhere in that area flying black hawks. get some of the army guys to come in handle traffic there.
They will magically find a way to resolve this issue immediately.
 

Tajaz2426

Psychology PhD from Wikipedia University
READ:

The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years, with only 19 fully certified controllers on deck as of September 2023, according to Congress’ Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan report.
My assumption is they are going to audit where any money has gone. What training funds have been used on and if said training costs are what has hindered the hiring process to have more certified ATC’s, etc.

When we lose an aircraft, everything is frozen. The books that maintenance control use for sign offs by every member that touched the helicopter, pieces of gear, proper training, Avionics books, power line books, airframes, etc.

I think that is where they will start.
 
READ:

The airport’s air traffic control facilities have been understaffed for years, with only 19 fully certified controllers on deck as of September 2023, according to Congress’ Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan report.
During his first term (2017–2021), President Donald Trump proposed significant changes to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its operations. In 2017, his administration unveiled an infrastructure plan that included a $2.4 billion cut to federal transportation programs, aiming to eliminate subsidies for long-distance trains and commercial flights to rural communities. Additionally, Trump advocated for privatizing the FAA's air traffic control system, suggesting it be transformed into a private nonprofit corporation.

en.wikipedia.org


In 2019, the FAA announced $840 million in grants to improve airport facilities, and President Trump proposed $17.1 billion in funding for the FAA. This proposal passed the House Appropriations Committee with an additional $614 million, totaling $17.7 billion for the FAA. These funds were allocated to over 380 airports across 47 states for various improvement projects.

en.wikipedia.org


Furthermore, the Trump administration pursued deregulation efforts, including executive orders to reduce regulatory oversight and shift supervision to industry. The 2019 budget proposed an 18% cut to the Department of Transportation's budget, which could have impacted the FAA's resources and oversight capabilities.

en.wikipedia.org


These initiatives reflect the administration's broader goals of reducing government involvement in certain sectors and promoting privatization and deregulation within the aviation industry.
 

Tams

Member
Yeah as if air traffic controllers being short staffed and having the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded would have any immediate effects on aviation safety.

Again, a week is not ling enough for that to have an effect. The understaffing goes back years, and if it were the other way around, no administration could increase staffing within a week.
 

Zathalus

Member
Terrible tragedy all around. Been a pretty bad streak for aircraft safety these past months.

Regarding the cause, the FAA has been underfunded for years. It’s quite amazing something hasn’t happened sooner. Disbanding the safety committee and freezing hiring probably didn’t cause this, as those actions happened a few days ago, but I fail to see how it could have any benefit in the long term.
 

IntentionalPun

Ask me about my wife's perfect butthole
Terrible tragedy all around. Been a pretty bad streak for aircraft safety these past months.

Regarding the cause, the FAA has been underfunded for years. It’s quite amazing something hasn’t happened sooner. Disbanding the safety committee and freezing hiring probably didn’t cause this, as those actions happened a few days ago, but I fail to see how it could have any benefit in the long term.
Yeah it didn’t cause it but I’d hope people would go “why are we doing this?” In general, crash or no crash.

Root cause isn’t 100% figured out yet but it appears to be based on understaffing, as one person was handling helicopters and other aircraft when usually 1 person should be dedicated to helicopters.
 

Xevo

Member
Again, a week is not ling enough for that to have an effect. The understaffing goes back years, and if it were the other way around, no administration could increase staffing within a week.
But they arent increasing staffing. In fact, with hiring freezes and retirement demands its obvious that they are doing the opposite. This will most likely not have caused this disaster, but enacting these measures one week before this - makes them look real bad.
 

violence

Member
Me knowing nothing about anything, my assumption is it’s the fault of the military for being in an airplane landing track. However, DEI should especially not be in dead serious jobs like: air traffic control.
 

Hot5pur

Member
So how does a helicopter, which is relatively mobile, not just hover in place to wait for the plane to go by? Someone explain physics to me
 
So how does a helicopter, which is relatively mobile, not just hover in place to wait for the plane to go by? Someone explain physics to me
The helicopter was told to watch out and go behind the plane. But there were two planes in sight. Maybe they were looking at one of them and didn't know the other one was coming?
 

violence

Member
So how does a helicopter, which is relatively mobile, not just hover in place to wait for the plane to go by? Someone explain physics to me
Which makes me think the copper had malfunctioning instruments or a distracted pilot. I wouldn't go near an airport.
 

Tajaz2426

Psychology PhD from Wikipedia University
The helicopter was told to watch out and go behind the plane. But there were two planes in sight. Maybe they were looking at one of them and didn't know the other one was coming?
If it was one controller doing that doing takeoff traffic and landing, then it could have just been a mistake that he didn’t say incoming or outgoing aircraft and just said aircraft seen the outgoing and never seen the incoming aircraft.
 

StreetsofBeige

Gold Member
Dont planes and helicopters have radar so you can see blips around you?

Or is that all TV and movies Hollywood fakery?

If the heli pilot saw one plane, but didnt see another, wouldnt there be radar in the heli showing multiple pings around him? I dont know. I dont know how big planes and military heli instrument panels are like.
 
If it was one controller doing that doing takeoff traffic and landing, then it could have just been a mistake that he didn’t say incoming or outgoing aircraft and just said aircraft seen the outgoing and never seen the incoming aircraft.
I also think not enough information was given to the chopper or there was a misunderstanding, maybe because there were not enough controllers
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
The helicopter was told to watch out and go behind the plane. But there were two planes in sight. Maybe they were looking at one of them and didn't know the other one was coming?
The controller also radioed that mere seconds before the collision. Not nearly enough time for any adjustment.

Where that heli was, however, they should not have been at the same height that planes landing and taking off would be. They should be maintaining 200ft, not 400-500ft in landing airspace, a plane there or not.
 

Gp1

Member
As a laymen, when you hear ATCs audio you feel that these guys are handling tons of instructions under immense pressure. And how they switch from normal workload to shit hits the fan mode in a mere second still is impressive.

A single ATC is giving tons of instructions,then someone yells in the back "did you see that?" and before anyone process the wtf happened the guy enters in a crisis mode, diverting other approaches and get other chopper in the area to assist.

They could be understaffed and the cause could be an ATC mistake, but still one hell of a job.
 
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DeepEnigma

Gold Member
As a laymen, when you hear ATCs audio you feel that these guys are handling tons of instructions under immense pressure. And how they switch from normal workload to shit hits the fan mode in a mere second still is impressive.

A single ATC is giving tons of instructions,then someone yells in the back "did you see that?" and before anyone process the wtf happened the guy enters in a crisis mode, diverting other approaches and get other chopper in the area to assist.

They could be understaffed and the cause could be an ATC mistake, but still one hell of a job.
Yep, which is why it requires the absolute best of the best at their craft in that job.
 
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