ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – The American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter crash en route to D.C. from Wichita is being called the worst air disaster in a generation.
Commercial Pilot, and flight instructor, Robert Katz, has more than 40 years of flying experience. Since the crash, he’s analyzed flight maps, air traffic reports, and air traffic control conversations.
“The American Airlines flight was arriving from the south when the runway was changed to Runway 33. The airplane acknowledged and complied. It was cleared to land,” said Katz.
The air traffic controller notified Flight 5342 of the change—a routine procedure. The Black Hawk helicopter was also informed and asked if it had the airplane in sight. The pilot of the helicopter confirmed he saw the airplane.
“And then the tower control says, ‘Pass behind the CRJ. The pilot acknowledges… but then does something completely different,” said Katz.
Katz says the helicopter did not follow its prescribed route and interfered with the plane’s descent. Instead of passing behind the jet, it may have moved in front of or beneath it.
While some reports suggest the helicopter pilot may have mistaken another plane for the American Airlines jet, Katz believes it was most likely human error.
“The tower made sure the helicopter pilot was aware of the airplane. I believe when the helicopter responded he had it in sight, he was looking at the correct aircraft. And then the helicopter pilot became distracted—due to duties of flying the aircraft in conjunction with the duty of the flight which was training,” said Katz.
Katz also believes altitude may have played a role. Some reports question whether the air traffic controller was handling too much, doing the jobs of what should have been two people but Katz disagrees.
“He’s gonna be talking to all traffic in that airspace so to have a second controller up there is not necessary,” said Katz.
He also says he doubts the American Airlines crew ever saw the helicopter coming,
“I am 100% confident the American Airlines aircraft and the air traffic controller were doing their jobs professionally and correctly,” said Katz.
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