The UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter, known as the “workhorse” of Army aviation, collided with a regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board both aircraft. The Black Hawk is a versatile aircraft used for various missions, has a strong safety record, and has been in service with the Army for over four decades. The Army relies on this aircraft for major operations worldwide.
Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the Black Hawk, has produced over 5,000 helicopters for 36 countries, and the Army plans to continue using them for the next three decades. The Black Hawk involved in the tragic incident was on a routine training mission from Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crew was experienced, but the cause of the collision is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
A retired Army Lt. Col. mentioned that the crew may not have been aware of the approaching passenger jet, as video footage suggests that the helicopter did not alter its course before the crash. The training mission had fewer crew members than usual to scan the sky for potential dangers.
A previous incident involving two Black Hawk helicopters colliding during a training exercise resulted in the deaths of nine soldiers. The Army took measures to ground aviation operations for safety checks and to prevent further accidents. While there have been fatal incidents involving Black Hawks, they have been relatively low compared to other Army helicopters.
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