For those interested, the preliminary report on DCA is out, and if you are unfamiliar with the process, it is mostly focused on what happened. Not, repeat, not, the how and why of what happened. That comes with later reports. I’m looking for a written copy as it should have basic pilot info (hours, medical, etc.). The barometric pressure issue is being emphasized, and they are looking at how it may have effected the altimeter(s) and other systems. Most importantly, the report makes urgent recommendations about Route 4 and closing same when certain runways are in use. The full conference is here:
On the Philadelphia crash, the report is written and is worth a read. Again, it is a preliminary and is more focused on what happened, not the how or why. Of note for me, it seems the Cockpit Voice Recorder wasn’t working and appears not to have been recording for several years. Pilots were in contact at the time of the accident and no distress call was received. Given the state of the plane (and occupants) I expect reconstruction and any medical exams to take a while and possibly be limited.
Again, it will take time. That’s something few seem willing to grant, but this should be a painstaking process that leaves no stone unturned. So far, it is on par with other investigations. We will see what happens.
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Air traffic control had no business allowing the helicopter to enter that segment of route 4 and would have had clear indications of the traffic conflict on their systems. Instead they told the pilots to maintain visual separation in circumstances where such visual separation was not possible and failed to issue clear traffic information to the pilots. This was a clear case of ATC failure. The air traffic controller on duty killed all those people.