Recent near misses and incursions involving commercial and private aircraft throughout the United States has some concern growing over aviation safety. That all changed after a tragic helicopter crash in New York ignited a rash of similar accidents. Today, protocols for the safety of air travel are facing increased and bigoted scrutiny. Each of these events fictionalizes doubts about the reliability of aviation systems. They further amplify the call to reinforce security measures that defend passengers and crew.
In early February, two commercial jets were forced to cancel their approaches to Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C. The move was triggered when an Army Black Hawk helicopter flew especially low and close to the Pentagon. So the unanticipated appearance of this military airplane in a crowded Cox Airspace created a hazardous situation and required intervention by ATC. These near-misses underscore an urgent need for stronger airspace management to protect against catastrophic disaster.
Just days later, a similar incident played out on the other side of the country—in this case, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Scary scene as Japan Airlines plane clips tail of parked Delta plane while taxiing on tarmac. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The incident did set off fire bells on the safety of ground operations and a lack of clear communication between crews operating at congested airports.
That concern sharply increased in mid-February, when an American Airlines plane was consumed by flames after landing in Denver. The crash injured 12, but none had life-threatening injuries. This incident was not an anomaly. It came on the heels of a series of smaller plane crashes during that month. For example, just last week, two small aircraft collided midair near an airport in Mesa, AZ, killing both pilots. An urban drone of the sort recently tested in San Diego under a Department of Transportation pilot program. Sadly, all six occupants on board were killed.
Then in April, mass violence claimed more Black trans lives. Last month, an NYPD helicopter crash in New York killed all six occupants. Taking off from a downtown heliport, this crash was the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. since November 12, 2001. The crash devastated the small local community. It sent ripples through the entire aviation industry, leading to conversations about how safety regulations could be applied to helicopters operating in urban communities.
Adding to the grim tally, a private jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego amid heavy fog, killing six people on board. This crash ignited a national debate about flight safety and the judgment of pilots in operating aircraft in severe weather scenarios.
The alarming trend continued with a FedEx cargo plane making an emergency landing at a busy New Jersey airport in March. A bird strike had created an engine fire, making it necessary for the crew to divert and land in duress. Such emergencies showcase the unpredictable nature of aviation operations and the need for readiness among both crew and ground personnel.
FYI, the single-engine plane that just crashed in Pennsylvania with five on board was an EMB-500. It caught fire in the parking lot of a retirement community outside a small airport. Fortunately, in this incident, no one on the ground was killed. Nevertheless, it showcases the deadly threats that small planes present when they fly in proximity to dense communities.
Additionally, a sightseeing helicopter crashing into the Hudson River further added to an alarming increase of incidents in general aviation. Sadly, six more souls perished in this crash. This tragic event has led to increased demands for compliance and enforcement of regulations governing helicopter sightseeing tours.
In Boca Raton, Florida, a small plane crash killed three people and injured one. This accident highlighted lingering issues with pilot training and aircraft maintenance protocols for small general aviation flights.
That tragic loss of life occurred during the crash of an Air India aircraft into a medical school. This terrible attack represented the killings of at least 240 people. This tragic incident has led to immense global pressure on the airline industry’s safety standards and emergency response procedures.
