Years of Warnings Ignored Before Deadly Army Crash

For years, the U.S. Army operated with inexperienced pilots in aging helicopters within Washington D.C.'s complex airspace, ignoring concerns raised by local aviators. This practice contributed to a catastrophic mid-air collision on January 29th, claiming the lives of 67 people, marking the deadliest Army accident on U.S. soil. The government has since admitted legal liability, stating the crash was avoidable due to the crew's failure to maintain vigilance.

An investigation uncovered significant issues within the 12th Aviation Battalion, including inadequate training and equipment. Pilots directly from flight school, with limited experience, were often flying older helicopter models lacking modern safety features. Local pilots had voiced concerns for years about near misses, warning that safety needed to take precedence over military missions.