The pilot of a Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight earlier this year reportedly ignored critical warnings from her Army flight instructor co-pilot, according to a new report.
The collision, which occurred on January 29, involved the helicopter and American Airlines Flight AA5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft approaching Runway 33. The tragedy resulted in the loss of 67 lives.
According to findings reported by The New York Times, the female Black Hawk pilot failed to maintain proper visual separation and disregarded urgent instructions to lower her altitude and turn left — actions that could have prevented the fatal collision.
The helicopter’s male co-pilot, an Army flight instructor, issued several warnings and a final directive to turn left toward the East River to increase separation from the approaching aircraft. Despite these urgent appeals, the pilot did not respond or adjust course.
“Not only was the Black Hawk flying at an excessive altitude, but in the critical final seconds, the pilot failed to obey her co-pilot’s command to alter course,” the report noted.
Responsibility was also partially attributed to air traffic control. Investigators criticized the controller involved for failing to deliver instructions with sufficient clarity and urgency, further contributing to the deadly incident.
Flight AA5342 was on final approach at approximately 300 feet altitude when the collision occurred.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved training protocols, better communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, and reinforced authority structures within military aviation teams.
Investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
