Overview

• NTSB investigators found Black Hawk helicopters’ barometric altimeters underreport true altitude by 80 to 100 feet and verified similar errors across three additional aircraft.
• FAA-approved routes near Reagan National Airport allow helicopters to operate within as little as 75 feet of arriving airliners, exposing minimal separation margins.
• Separate radio frequencies for helicopters and airplanes caused stepped-on transmissions that blocked crews from hearing critical communications in the crucial minutes before the crash.
• Many Army helicopters flew with ADS-B Out disabled or misinstalled, prompting legislation from Sen. Ted Cruz to require universal dual ADS-B In/Out systems.
• The Army and FAA are assessing upgrades to Black Hawk models, flight corridors and air traffic control procedures to strengthen safety protocols.