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TZUTC: 0200                  
The collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter near the
city's airport on last week Wednesday evening in Washington appears to have
been a mistake by the helicopter pilots, according to investigators who spoke
to The Washington Post. The newspaper reports that it heard radio
communications in which there does not appear to be any panicky situation.
 
The (very experienced) crew of the helicopter was warned minutes in advance by
the control tower that a plane was landing. The pilots heard that and
indicated that they would pay attention and keep their distance. That was two
minutes before the collision and there was enough time to change course or
altitude.
 
The control tower issued another warning, but that came twelve seconds before
the collision. According to those involved in the investigation, the sound
recordings are not perfect, but it is clear that the helicopter pilot
understood what the control tower meant and responded affirmatively each time
with the term 'visual separation'. That indicates that he knows what is going
on and is keeping a safe distance from the intended aircraft.
 
But that last point did not happen. Investigators suspect the pilot was
looking at another plane and misunderstood the communication with the control
tower. It appears the pilot took the warning seriously, but did not see the
American Airlines CRJ700 that was about to land as the problem, literally and
figuratively. The airliner had 64 people on board and the helicopter three.
Both planes crashed into the Potomac River that flows next to Reagan National
Airport. No one survived.

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