Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aside from the disgusting DEI comments, early indications are that ATC didn’t do anything wrong. It was the Blackhawk that reported visual contact and then failed to maintain separation.

I don't think ATC is faultless. It looks like the helicopters were focused on runway 1, which is where the vast majority of take-offs and landings occur at Reagan. They probably believed they had the American Eagle plane in sight. However, it can be very difficult to identify different types of aircraft, particularly at night while wearing night vision goggles that severely limit peripheral vision. But most importantly, they did not seem aware that the American Eagle had been instructed at the last minute to use the little used runway 33, which crosses runway 1 and necessitates a different approach. The lack of clear instructions from ATC in a very busy airspace at night should be investigated. And I think it's nuts that helicopters are routinely told to rely on visual contact while crossing busy runways at night.

Not true. There's a VAS Aviation youtube where you can hear the exchange between DCA Tower and the Blackhawk. The Blackhawk was explicitly instructed to look for a CRJ over Wilson Bridge at 1200', on the approach for runway 33. Now... it might have been better if the controller had said "XX miles, 10 o'clock" so that the helicopter pilot would have automatically looked to their left, rather than (maybe) fixating on the their right. But the controller's instructions were at least sufficient, especially considering the helicopter pilot then reported visual contact.

Thank you for the link - I didn't know the Blackhawk was told to follow the CRJ since the Wilson Bridge - I only heard the later warnings.

I don't know how anyone can think this was the ATC's fault.

BTW, the Biden admin just hired 1800 ATCs, with a goal of 1500 more this year. Because there's a huge shortage. Did Trump's hiring freeze affect this?

Facts

- January 20: FAA director fired
- January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
- January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
- January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
- January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump gave a pretty clear statement about the cause of the crash. Bet any investigation and findings in to the cause of the crash will agree with his statements.

So you think Trump knows more about the true cause of the crash than the airline, the military, and the FAA, which have not yet reached a conclusion since it's only been a few hours?! You ascribe a lot of talents to Trump, but I'm surprised you also think he's an expert on aviation disasters.

MAGA really does think he is their orange god....it's sickening and I can't decide if it's a lack of education or a mental illness. Their words and actions are delusional and disgusting.

This entire conversation is derranged, and a perfect example of the MAGA playbook. Here are some facts:
(1) the investigation has barely started. The NTSB will report on their findings weeks or months from now;
(2) there are certainly staffing issues with FAA, but there is zero evidence so far that the controller in this case made a mistake. We may find that the general system of having military aircraft fly through approaches at DCA is problematic, but that's not on the controller here;
(3) there were at least three crews responsible for avoiding this crash: ATC, the Blackhawk pilot, and the CRJ pilot. Again, until the NTSB reports out, there's no basis to assign "blame".

Despite these facts, DJT has completely re-oriented the discussion to DEI hiring within the FAA. Again - absolutely no basis for thinking that had anything to do with this crash. But here we are arguing on his turf. A perfect example of misinformation in action less than 24 hours after a tragedy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump gave a pretty clear statement about the cause of the crash. Bet any investigation and findings in to the cause of the crash will agree with his statements.

Sure. If they didn’t they’d be fired.

Exactly....everyone has to fawn all over the little lying tyrant

Anonymous wrote:It’s ridiculous!! The bodies haven’t even been recovered. Hell, before they knew for sure no one survived the President was already spewing nonsense. All Americans should be disgusted.

This but MAGA hasn't shown that empathy they say they have.

Anonymous wrote:Why are people saying DEI hires? They still have to meet the same standards as anyone else, right?

Because they're a-holes. Yes, they need to meet the rigid standards. Period.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They were turned away because of the color of their skin,” Vice President JD Vance said of air traffic controllers. “That policy ends under Donald Trump’s leadership.”

We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas,” he said. “And I think we'll probably state those opinions now, because over the years I've watched as things like this happen and they say, ‘Well, we're always investigating.’”

How long do we have to listen to this garbage? Now this tragedy will turn into a race issue and the country won’t be able to get together and grieve for these people.

Actually I think he said we should hire the best and the brightest air traffic controllers and not base hiring on race, sex, orientation, etc. It’s called a meritocracy.

Meritocracy doesn't mean just all white men.

It also doesn’t mean high school graduates who work for Musk.

Why are people saying DEI hires? They still have to meet the same standards as anyone else, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FAA being sued because they blocked applications of 1000 individuals who were potentially qualified, simply because of their race:

https://simpleflying.com/faa-air-traffic-controller-applicants-lawsuit/

Mountain States it's a far right law group who specialty is focusing on land rights. At any rate, the lawsuit clearly says that the hired applicants weren't incompetent just that other people weren't given a chance. Supposedly.

See this works for other mega types like you because you refuse to read anything but most of us are smart enough to click on your links and we actually know stuff so we're not falling for your BS

Anonymous wrote:This isn't a news link I think it was omitted because what your saying here is a lie. This isn't a full though just an attack on Trump with no merit. But you know this.

Source for your ridiculousness OP?

Not the OP but the source was their own big mouths. Did you not watch the press conference. Go watch it and listen to the vitriol they both spewed. Listen to it first hand yourself. It’s available for the who,e world to see and hear.

Anonymous wrote:Most of you probably aren't old enough to remember Reagan fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers in 1991 and then there was a terrible plane crash in DC in 1982. Republican Presidents don't believe in regulations and the public suffers.

Sorry too 1981 + 1982

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone really surprised?

nope

^1981 and crash was 1982

FAA being sued because they blocked applications of 1000 individuals who were potentially qualified, simply because of their race:

https://simpleflying.com/faa-air-traffic-controller-applicants-lawsuit/