Everything You Need to Know About the Black Hawk Chopper and Its Role in the Washington Crash

The recent collision between a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle Flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has highlighted the Black Hawk's safety record.

The recent collision between a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has highlighted the Black Hawk's safety record. The Black Hawk dubbed the "workhorse" of Army aviation, has been in service since 1979 and is known for its dependability and survivability in combat and transport missions.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub told MSNBC that the crew of the Black Hawk involved in the recent collision may not have been aware of the passenger jet's presence, as video footage showed the helicopter did not change course or altitude before the crash. Gaub also pointed out that the training mission had fewer crew chiefs than usual, which may have reduced the crew's ability to identify potential dangers. Usually, such missions have three chew chiefs. However, Wednesday's had one. "That's a fact," he said. "It may have a bearing in the future. It may not. But it does reduce the ability of the crew to identify an aircraft in flight at night."

Retired Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub told MSNBC that the crew of the Black Hawk involved in the recent collision may not have been aware of the passenger jet's presence, as video evidence revealed the chopper did not change course or altitude before crashing. Gaub also mentioned that the training trip had fewer crew chiefs than usual, which could have hampered the crew's capacity to recognise potential threats. Usually, such missions have three chew chiefs, but Wednesday's just had one. "That is a fact," he replied. "It may have implications in the future. It may not. However, it reduces the crew's ability to recognise an aircraft in flight at night.

Following the Kentucky crash and another deadly event involving Apache helicopters in Alaska, the Army has suspended its aviation units, with the exception of crucial missions. Army Chief of Staff James McConville indicated that the stand-down was required to verify that the Army was taking all conceivable measures to avoid accidents.

An examination of fatal occurrences involving Black Hawk helicopters discovered that, while 60 individuals died in training incidents over the preceding decade, the Black Hawk has had fewer fatal incidents per hour flown than other helicopters in the Army's fleet. The analysis found that the Black Hawk is engaged in considerably fewer fatal events than other helicopters, such as the AH-64 Apache and the CH-47 Chinook.