I’m a retired Naval Aviator with an ATP and over 10,000 flt hrs. I instructed at all three levels in the Navy - training command, squadron and Fleet Replacement Squadron. And, I’ve flown a number of light civil acft., including my own PA-128.
As an instructor and Acft. Cmdr. in the P3-C, I had to “take an acft” on a rare occassion. Yes, the Navy teaches this and very well.
Although there are a number of factors being assesed in the DC mishap, the one that’s so fundamental and appears to be missing is - " see and avoid." No what the circustances, when flying in VMC conditions, see and avoid is paramount.
If the helo instructor saw the CRJ and told the pilot at the controls to avoid, then it’s absolutely perplexing as to why the instructor didn’t “take the acft.” I’m at a loss here.
I recall several times when I had to take an acft for one reason or another. In one situation, I was junior to the person flying.
Finally, I believe the primary casual factors were spatial disorientation and situational awaerness. I believe the pilots didn’t see the CRJ and flew into it unwittingly.
I offer this as a Navy mishap investigator who was invoved in investigating several tragic P3 mishaps.
CAPT USN (ret)