A view of the AH-64E Apache helicopter. The U.S. has approved the possible sale of support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters to India for an estimated cost of $198.2 billion.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Washington:

The recent collision between a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle Flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has brought attention to the safety record of the Black Hawk. Considered the “workhorse” of Army aviation, the Black Hawk has been in service since 1979 and has a reputation for being reliable and survivable in combat and transport missions.

With over 5,000 units built for 36 countries, the Black Hawk is widely used for various operations, including air assault and relief efforts. Despite its strong track record, the Black Hawk has been involved in several fatal incidents, including a collision during a training exercise in Kentucky that killed nine soldiers.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub told MSNBC, that the crew of the Black Hawk involved in the recent collision may not have been aware of the passenger jet’s presence, as video footage showed the helicopter did not change course or altitude before the crash. Gaub also pointed out that the training mission had fewer crew chiefs than usual, which may have reduced the crew’s ability to identify potential dangers. Usually such missions have three chew chiefs, however Wednesday’s had one. “That’s a fact,” he said. “It may have bearing in the future. It may not. But it does reduce ability of crew to identify an aircraft in flight at night.”

The Army has grounded its aviation units except for critical missions following the collision in Kentucky and another fatal incident involving Apache helicopters in Alaska. Army Chief of Staff James McConville stated that the stand-down was necessary to ensure the Army was taking all possible precautions to prevent accidents.

A review of fatal incidents involving Black Hawk helicopters found that while 60 people had died in training incidents over the previous decade, the Black Hawk has fewer deadly incidents relative to hours flown compared to other helicopters in the Army’s fleet. The review concluded that the Black Hawk is involved in far less fatal incidents than other helicopters, including the AH-64 Apache and the CH-47 Chinook.