The soldiers flying the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the American Airlines flight on Wednesday night were from the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion. Pilots from this unit are highly experienced in navigating the complex airspace near Reagan National Airport. The low-level helicopter routes in the area have been in operation for decades, making it one of the busiest aviation operation centers in the country.
According to former pilots in the unit, careful communication and cooperation between pilots and Reagan tower are essential due to the high level of aviation activity in the area. The soldiers flying the Black Hawk were described as fairly experienced and were on an annual proficiency training flight at the time of the collision.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, frequently conducts missions along the Potomac River, often transporting general officers, Army leaders, and VIPs to and from the Pentagon and other locations in the northeast. When flying past Reagan National Airport, the helicopters descend to their lowest altitude to deconflict with aircraft at the airport.
Government helicopter flights, including those by the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, are routine in the corridor where the crash occurred. Roughly 100 such flights take place daily in the area, highlighting the significant air traffic in the region.
