The NTSB has released it’s first real update on the horrific crash in DC, which was discussed here. I’m keeping an eye out for the Philadelphia crash update and will post it as well.
No real answers, which is how this goes. In fact, more questions were raised and the information in regards altimeters and other systems does suggest a number of things. Again and again: give them time. If you have never followed an NTSB investigation, take some time and learn about the process. Anyone telling you that what was released is a smoking gun or provides answers is either an idiot and/or a grifter/liar.
Meantime, listen to the entire briefing for yourself.
Thank you for this update. Much of this has completely disappeared from the news cycle, so we hear next to nothing about what is being discovered.
Indeed, it seems that my own speculation (and pure speculation it is) that a coincidence of small, but unrecognized and uncorrected, mistakes resulted in this tragedy. While we have made great strides in figuring out how to recognize and correct human error and prevent such disasters, we are still stuck with human frailties and the consequences.
From what I have read, it appears that the CRJ had both CVR and FDR systems that were working and recovered, while the Blackhawk had only a CVR. Considering the supposed importance of the military mission, I am rather surprised that these aircraft were never retrofitted with a FDR system.
And on to the medivac disaster in Philadelphia, that is a big puzzle at this point. My initial thoughts were that a center of gravity issue resulted in an unrecoverable stall, but with some reports indicating possible fire/explosion prior to the crash it’s become simply weird. Do small medivac jets have FDRs? That would answer rather a lot of questions if they did.