The recent crash of a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., has drawn significant attention as investigators uncover critical details about the tragic incident. The crash occurred on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of 42 lives, including three soldiers from the Army. Captain Rebecca Lobach, Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O'Hara, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves were all identified as victims of the crash. Crews are set to begin removing the wreckage from the Potomac River starting on Sunday.
According to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), moments before the impact, the aircraft's cockpit voice recorder captured a "verbal reaction" from the crew aboard the American flight. This alarmed response came just one second prior to the collision. Flight data revealed that the plane's nose began to rise, indicating a potential maneuver in response to the impending crash.
The investigation also suggests that the Army helicopter was operating above 200 feet, which surpasses the maximum altitude permitted for its flight route. This revelation has raised questions about the helicopter's approach and altitude management during the training flight. The air traffic controller had alerted the helicopter to the presence of the CRJ700 airplane approximately two minutes before the crash, but it remains unclear whether adequate measures were taken following this warning.
Captain Rebecca Lobach, 30, from Durham, North Carolina, was an aviation officer with the Army since 2019 and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Her family described her as "a bright star in all our lives," adding that "no one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals." The Army initially withheld her identity at the family's request but later confirmed it after receiving their consent.
The Army has identified O'Hara, 28, and Eaves, 39, as the other two soldiers who tragically lost their lives in this incident. While authorities have confirmed that 42 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, the names of the remaining victims, which include 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the jet, have not been officially released. Many have been identified through social media and family announcements.
Inman stated during a briefing that training flights typically involve additional safety measures such as using night-vision goggles. The investigation continues as officials work to determine the factors leading up to this devastating accident.