Late last night, a passenger airplane and an Army helicopter collided in Washington DC over the Potomac River.

Now in a recovery mode as no survivors are expected. They’ve already recovered 28 bodies. 

Hearing reports that some of the folks on the plane were involved with US Figure Skating. Not sure if that's skaters, officials, or both?

2 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

Hearing reports that some of the folks on the plane were involved with US Figure Skating. Not sure if that's skaters, officials, or both?

Sounds like skaters and coaches. 

The video they have looks clear that the helicopter flew into the plane. 

3 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

Sounds like skaters and coaches. 

And family members.  Along with some Russian skaters, according to the below article.

U.S. Figure Skating Team Members Onboard American Airlines Plane Before Crash

So horrible.  67 people are feared dead.

We are all speculating but I strongly assume the plane was doing exactly what it was supposed to be doing on approach to land.  Additionally, I am thinking there had to be one or more mistakes with the chopper.  Possibly planning, procedure, pilot error, air traffic controller error or a combination of errors. 

Just now, theguru said:

So horrible.  67 people are feared dead.

We are all speculating but I strongly assume the plane was doing exactly what it was supposed to be doing on approach to land.  Additionally, I am thinking there had to be one or more mistakes with the chopper.  Possibly planning, procedure, pilot error, air traffic controller error or a combination of errors. 

I'm thinking big time pilot error in the helicopter. 

4 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

I'm thinking big time pilot error in the helicopter. 

If I had to guess I would would guess pilot error first, ugh.

I am listening to a former FAA investigator and he said the plane (Bombardier CRJ701ER) would have been going about 150mph and the Black Hawk (Sikorsky VH-60M) about 110mph.

Supposedly air traffic control tried to make contact with the helicopter right before the collision telling it to go behind the plane.  I say "supposedly" because I've only seen it reported once so far.  This seems to be all on the helicopter, whether a malfunction or pilot error.

59 minutes ago, nees1212 said:

Supposedly air traffic control tried to make contact with the helicopter right before the collision telling it to go behind the plane.  I say "supposedly" because I've only seen it reported once so far.  This seems to be all on the helicopter, whether a malfunction or pilot error.

There's audio. The helo acknowledged the plane and was supposed to divert around it. 

Someone asked on TV if it were possible the helicopter was looking at the wrong plane and that's what caused the collision.

I can't see any way that would be possible. 

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

Someone asked on TV if it were possible the helicopter was looking at the wrong plane and that's what caused the collision.

I can't see any way that would be possible. 

Some of what I heard appears ambiguous about seeing the plane.  How many planes were in sight and if the chopper saw the plane it eventually collided with why didn't it take evasive action?  Why didn't plane abort landing?  I have no idea on those questions, we need the black boxes and more detailed information from the FAA and NTSB.  

Just now, theguru said:

Some of what I heard appears ambiguous about seeing the plane.  How many planes were in sight and if the chopper saw the plane it eventually collided with why didn't it take evasive action?  Why didn't plane abort landing?  I have no idea on those questions, we need the black boxes and more detailed information from the FAA and NTSB.  

Based on the video I've seen, to me it's plausible the plane didn't see the helo and that the helo either flew into the path of the plane, or directly into the plane where the pilots of the plane couldn't see it coming. 

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

Based on the video I've seen, to me it's plausible the plane didn't see the helo and that the helo either flew into the path of the plane, or directly into the plane where the pilots of the plane couldn't see it coming. 

I hear you but I would also think the instruments/anti-collision systems would have given each pilot multiple warnings.