Originally published at: NTSB Issues DCA Final Report
The NTSB has issued 33 safety recommendations following its final report on the fatal DCA midair collision.
The mere fact that these flights were ever allowed to occur there, is the best example of arrogant stupidity that I can ever recall seeing.
No mention of Congressional pressure to keep adding flights or to keep this airport open despite the known Secret Service desire to close it.
No mention of pilot error. Ohh I see, nothing to see.
I retired in 1997 and always felt that flying into DCA at night, under VFR conditions, was an “accident waiting to happen!” Tragically, it did. HOPEFULLY, the correct steps will be taken!
Much to wade through in the report, its permissions will not let me print a few pages on altimetry.
Appears that pressure altimeter errors alone made the situation dangerous, I have not grasped what radio altimeter system of helicopter was reading. Helicopter crew apparently constrained by field of view of night-vision system. Crew monitoring is a question I have.
Clarifying:
Possible total of pressure altimeter errors.
NTSB tested a few of the helicopter models.
Pressure altimetry errors include:
- manufacturing tolerances
- wear
- crew setting of local barometric pressure
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