Anonymous wrote:The contributing factors to this crash will never be fully addressed. The fundamental problem is the orientation of Runway 33 vis-a-vis military traffic on the east side of the Potomac. It’s past time that Runway 33 is closed. If that means DCA has to shed a few slots so be it. Plenty of capacity at IAD.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Congress approved additional flights at DCA last year, over the protests of the locals. I hope they reduce the number now and enforce stricter regulations for all these helicopters.
Seems like an annual tradition that Congress approves more and more flights. Enough is enough. Time to cut back.
They need to build a new airport further away from the city, then shut DCA down. Reagan (like much in the area) was built in the 40s when there were far fewer people. DC has grown much too large to rely on such a small airport.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Oh no. I wonder if it’s one of those control tower snafus that didn’t get caught in time.
Air traffic controllers were too distracted
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
They do it all day every day. Spend some time on the Mt Vernon trail and you’ll see tons of helicopters - Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard all run helicopters up and down the river for training. Sometimes you’ll see a police helicopter (DC or Park Police) but they usually have a good reason to be there.
Yep. I live in Arlington and drive to and from DC every day- right along and across the Potomac We have seen more helicopters than usual lately. Yesterday at 2:30pm we were driving in to pick up my kid and my husband noted the giant military helicopter - over head—bigger than what we usually see
Is this due to the new dipsh@ts running things?
This is interesting to me too because last Friday I was driving on one of the many highways that encircles the Pentagon and was shaken by a surprising noise/feeling. Looked left, and there was a helicopter taking off immediately to my right, probably less than 50 feet away on the other side of the short barrier wall. Never seen this before. I don't drive in that part of VA a lot so who knows but it was startling and notable to me.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There is no need for a direct flight from
National to Wichita. That airport is too congested.
I feel awful for the poor ATCs
The flight was fine. DCA is fine.
The issue was the helicopter.
What is with the weird anti-DCA trolling?
The Alexandria residents really really hate that airport and all the airplane noise.
It's not us. We live just south of the airport off GW. The airport was there when we bought 20 years ago. We're used to it. Let's stick to the topic.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There is no need for a direct flight from
National to Wichita. That airport is too congested.
I feel awful for the poor ATCs
The flight was fine. DCA is fine.
The issue was the helicopter.
What is with the weird anti-DCA trolling?
The Alexandria residents really really hate that airport and all the airplane noise.
Anonymous wrote:Too many helicopters flying along the Potomac when Republicans come into power. They love their VIP rides and the pilots love to hot dog up & down the river for the VIPs. No consequences for anyone, good times back again.
No one likes dour Democrats who put the kibosh on expensive helicopter flights.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The water is below freezing. A doctor said 30 minutes is longest they could last. I hope I am wrong.
You are wrong. The water is a few degrees above freezing. Otherwise, it would be ice. Doesn't matter though. They died during the tremendous acceleration forces in the collision.
Right. The water depth was around seven feet. That’s no different than hitting solid ground—except if you survive the crash you’re in near-freezing water instead of burning wreckage.
Anonymous wrote:Are we still thinking DCA will be ready to go at 11:00am. Am supposed to be flying in to DCA today… Thank you.
Anonymous wrote:Too many helicopters flying along the Potomac when Republicans come into power. They love their VIP rides and the pilots love to hot dog up & down the river for the VIPs. No consequences for anyone, good times back again.
No one likes dour Democrats who put the kibosh on expensive helicopter flights.
Anonymous wrote:If you ask an ATP they’ll tell you this was something we all fully expected. The holes of the Swiss cheese:
A demanding circle to land on runway 33
A published rotor route crossing the final approach
Planes and helicopters on different frequencies
Separation is visual “see and avoid”
Overworked and undertrained ATC
It’ll be 2 years but I expect the helicopter pilot will be faulted but there will be multiple contributing factors and recommendations. This was a completely foreseeable disaster. I am angry.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:There is no need for a direct flight from
National to Wichita. That airport is too congested.
I feel awful for the poor ATCs
The flight was fine. DCA is fine.
The issue was the helicopter.
What is with the weird anti-DCA trolling?
The Alexandria residents really really hate that airport and all the airplane noise.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The water is below freezing. A doctor said 30 minutes is longest they could last. I hope I am wrong.
You are wrong. The water is a few degrees above freezing. Otherwise, it would be ice. Doesn't matter though. They died during the tremendous acceleration forces in the collision.