Failure To Follow Course Change Instructions Preceded Deadly Crash Near Reagan Airport, Report Says

The deadly Black Hawk helicopter crash that killed 67 people in January was preceded by a failure to follow flight instructions, according to a New York Times investigation highlighting multiple safety lapses and communication breakdowns.

Quick Takes

Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca Lobach failed to execute a course change as instructed by her flight instructor just 15 seconds before colliding with a commuter flight near Reagan National Airport, according to a new report.
Investigators believe communication issues occurred when the helicopter crew accidentally cut off air traffic controller instructions by pressing their radio button.
The helicopter’s tracking technology was turned off as part of mission simulation, though it was only a practice exercise.
Air traffic control staffing was below normal levels, with one controller managing both aircraft.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has promised reforms to modernize air traffic control systems

Reported Mistakes Right Before Impact

On January 29, a catastrophic mid-air collision between a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, resulted in 67 fatalities after both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. The incident, now the deadliest US air disaster since 2001, occurred while Army pilot Capt. Rebecca Lobach was conducting her annual flight evaluation with Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves as her instructor. According to the New York Times investigation, Eaves issued a critical instruction that went unheeded in the final seconds before impact.

Warrant Officer Eaves told Lobach “he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left, toward the east river bank,” the Times reported. “Turning left would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342, which was heading for Runway 33 at an altitude of roughly 300 feet. She did not turn left.” This reportedly occurred just 15 seconds before the crash.

Army Blackhawk pilot in DC crash failed to heed flight instructor’s command 15 seconds before deadly collision: report https://t.co/m644ktaSYt pic.twitter.com/0Ol6fCrx9k

— New York Post (@nypost) April 27, 2025

Multiple Safety Failures Identified

The investigation revealed several critical safety lapses surrounding the tragedy. The Black Hawk helicopter, which was simulating a mission to extract senior government officials, reportedly had its tracking technology turned off – standard procedure for an actual mission but questionable for a training exercise. This decision significantly reduced air traffic controllers’ ability to monitor the helicopter’s position.

The New York Times report also noted that “Some of the controller’s instructions were ‘stepped on’ — meaning that they cut out when the helicopter crew pressed a microphone to speak — and important information likely went unheard.” This technical failure meant that air traffic controllers’ warnings about the nearby airliner may not have reached the Black Hawk crew. When controllers did alert the helicopter about the nearby aircraft, Lobach and Eaves opted for “visual separation” instead of following specific instructions.

Previously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the helicopter crew had night vision goggles with them, which may have impaired their vision in the well-lit environment around Reagan National Airport.

“I think what we’ll find in the end is there were multiple things that, had any one of them changed, it could have well changed the outcome of that evening,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman.

Larger Issues at Reagan National Airport

The incident has highlighted longstanding safety concerns at Reagan National Airport. According to The Daily Caller, the airport “has suffered countless near misses between aircrafts over the last few decades, many reported by pilots themselves, an issue the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] has done little to solve.” On the night of the crash, air traffic control staffing was reportedly below normal levels, with just one controller managing both aircraft after another had left early. The commuter flight was also redirected to a rarely used runway, adding complexity to the situation.

The aviation industry’s practice of allowing “visual separation” has come under intense scrutiny following the crash. The approach has been criticized due to the inherent risks of human error, particularly in congested airspace.

Ongoing Investigation and Future Changes

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board continue their investigation, with a final report not expected until early 2026. While preliminary findings have ruled out medical issues with the pilots, investigators are examining all factors that contributed to the disaster. “There is no indication that [Capt. Rebecca Lobach] was suffering from health issues at the time or that a medical event affected her during those final moments aboard the Black Hawk,” according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Secretary Sean Duffy has vowed to eliminate this practice as part of broader reforms to the nation’s air traffic control system. He announced plans to enhance air traffic control systems with new technology and artificial intelligence to identify frequent “hot spots” where close encounters between aircraft occur.