Four U.S. Army soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known for nighttime missions, died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. The crash occurred during a routine training mission Wednesday night, and the cause is currently under investigation. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and the names of the soldiers will be released when appropriate. This incident marks the second deadly crash for this elite unit in recent years.
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A helicopter conducting an aerial survey in South Africa crashed due to an unsecured penguin in a cardboard box. The box, placed on a passenger’s lap, slid off during takeoff, striking the controls and causing a loss of control. The resulting crash, approximately 15 meters from takeoff, caused substantial damage to the helicopter but resulted in no injuries to the pilot, passenger, or penguin. The South African Civil Aviation Authority cited failure to follow established safety protocols and proper risk assessment as the primary causes.
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Investigators believe the January 29th midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities, may have been caused by a missed air traffic control instruction. Evidence suggests the Black Hawk crew, conducting a night vision goggle training exercise, may not have heard the instruction to pass behind the plane due to a depressed microphone. Discrepancies in altitude readings within the helicopter cockpit are also under investigation, and the American Airlines crew showed signs of seeing the helicopter just before impact. A final report is expected in over a year, but a preliminary report is forthcoming.
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Army Captain Rebecca Lobach, 28, a distinguished military graduate and former White House social aide, was identified as one of three soldiers killed in a Black Hawk helicopter collision near Reagan National Airport. Lobach, a native of Durham, North Carolina, served as an aviation officer since 2019 and received numerous military awards. The other soldiers involved were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara. The Black Hawk was on a routine training mission when the accident occurred, resulting in a total of 67 fatalities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker