MSGID: 2:292/854 1d091f2e   
   TZUTC: 0200                     
   The collision between a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter near the   
   city's airport on last week Wednesday evening in Washington appears to have   
   been a mistake by the helicopter pilots, according to investigators who spoke   
   to The Washington Post. The newspaper reports that it heard radio   
   communications in which there does not appear to be any panicky situation.   
       
   The (very experienced) crew of the helicopter was warned minutes in advance by   
   the control tower that a plane was landing. The pilots heard that and   
   indicated that they would pay attention and keep their distance. That was two   
   minutes before the collision and there was enough time to change course or   
   altitude.   
       
   The control tower issued another warning, but that came twelve seconds before   
   the collision. According to those involved in the investigation, the sound   
   recordings are not perfect, but it is clear that the helicopter pilot   
   understood what the control tower meant and responded affirmatively each time   
   with the term 'visual separation'. That indicates that he knows what is going   
   on and is keeping a safe distance from the intended aircraft.   
       
   But that last point did not happen. Investigators suspect the pilot was   
   looking at another plane and misunderstood the communication with the control   
   tower. It appears the pilot took the warning seriously, but did not see the   
   American Airlines CRJ700 that was about to land as the problem, literally and   
   figuratively. The airliner had 64 people on board and the helicopter three.   
   Both planes crashed into the Potomac River that flows next to Reagan National   
   Airport. No one survived.   
      
   --- DB4 - 20230201   
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