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From the Daily Mail: The Black Hawk Army helicopter which crashed into an American Airlines passenger plane as it was landing in Washington DC was flying 100 feet too high, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The official data came as questions mount over how the collision – which killed all 67 people involved – occurred, given that pilots follow strict protocol around the altitudes they can safely reach.
Now, information from an air traffic control radar has confirmed investigators’ fears that the military chopper was 100 feet above where it was meant to be flying at the time of the fiery crash.
The helicopter, flown by 28-year-old Captain Rebecca M. Lobach on a routine training exercise, was flying at 300 feet, but the maximum altitude permitted for choppers in the area is 200 feet.
Reagan National Airport is notoriously crowded, and the crossover in the air space between jets and helicopters is routine.
The report explains that the American Airlines passenger plane was at 325 feet at the time of the crash and had been cleared to land. The plane’s pilots tried to jerk the aircraft upward to avoid the helicopter in the split second before the crash, but it was too late.
National Transport Safety Board investigator Brice Banning said the jet’s two black boxes were both recovered, which captured flight data and sound in the cockpit.
“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, explaining that the data recorder showed “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch” at the same moment.
“Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording,” Banning said.
Authorities identified the two male Army soldiers in the Black Hawk first, but held off identifying the female soldier who was flying the helicopter. When her identity was finally released, many observed that her social media accounts had all been scrubbed.
In addition to her Army duties, Lobach also served as a White House social aide during the Biden administration.
Some photos posted to social media appear to indicate Lobach attended “pride” events.
Rebecca Lobach, the Biden aid who was flying the helicopter that flew into the American Airlines passenger jet in DC this week, attended PRIDE events.
The statement her family released about her said she was a “partner” pic.twitter.com/FiaxLPoIMN
— DeepState Illuminate (@TheDeep_State6) February 2, 2025
The other two Army soldiers aboard the helicopter were Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this difficult time. Our top priority is to assist in the recovery efforts, while fully cooperating with the @NTSB, @FAA, and other investigative… pic.twitter.com/wyQ0WBaMKv
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) January 31, 2025
The captain of the American Airlines flight from Wichita was Jonathan Campos.
First Officer Sam Lilley was also in the cockpit.
American Airlines flight attendant Ian Epstein frequently entertained passengers on past flights, singing, dancing and laughing. He perished in the horrific mid-air collision.
BREAKING: Female soldier inside doomed Black Hawk helicopter from DC crash now identified
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