Report: Pilot of Black Hawk in Fatal Collision Failed to Heed Instructions

Army helicopter pilot involved in a deadly January crash may not have changed course as directed.

Jack Daleo

Monday, April 28, 2025 at 04:22 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Pilot error may be among the factors that caused a collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and commercial passenger jet in January, per a New York Times report. [Courtesy: Nicholas Priest/U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The fatal collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle jet was attributed to multiple safety failures, including the Black Hawk pilot's failure to follow an instructor's directive and missed air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
Air traffic control also bore responsibility due to staffing issues, potential shortcomings in monitoring after granting visual separation, and the Black Hawk operating with its ADS-B Out system disabled.
Systemic issues in the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) airspace, such as minimal separation distances and a history of close calls, contributed to the unsafe situation, prompting the FAA to implement immediate safety measures.

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Pilot error may have played a role in the January collision between a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and Bombardier CRJ-700 jet operating American Eagle Flight 5342, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

According to a New York Times report, Captain Rebecca Lobach—who was piloting the Black Hawk for an annual evaluation flight in the airspace near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA)—failed to heed a directive from her instructor. It is unclear why Lobach did not turn left as instructed, which would have increased separation between the two aircraft.