See And Avoid
What a terrible tragedy! Maybe by the time you are reading this, more information has come out, but I’m baffled by how this airliner/helicopter collision could have happened.
I realize that DC airspace is busy…but so is Chicago. The complicating factors in Washington are the restricted areas, the military base across the Potomac from Reagan National, and the flight restrictions for presidential traffic.
But none of that was different than any other day. Besides, the weather was clear.
As of this writing and based on the communication transcript between ATC and the military helicopter, ATC warned the helicopter pilot of the jet that was on final approach, and the pilot responded that he had it in sight and would avoid. Shortly after, they collided mid-air.
Most are speculating that the helicopter crew had the wrong aircraft in sight, watching a more distant airplane, not realizing how close they were to the jet that was on final. I also think there was a major failure on ATC’s part since their radar coverage would have indicated how close the two aircraft were to each other and should have kept the helicopter out of harm’s way.
Pilots are instructed to “see and avoid” all the time. It is easier said than done though. When I was a student pilot soloing, a fast moving airplane came into my view when it was only 500 feet from me. It scared me so much that the next day I purchased the equipment to electronically see approaching traffic. Peering into the sky for a fast approaching speck can be difficult.
This is why pilots need to always be vigilant. It can happen so fast!
As it does with temptations aimed at our weaknesses…Seeing and avoiding the temptations that are designed to destroy us is not an easy task, but it is necessary. We must be constantly vigilant. And we need others in our lives to help us look. We need ATC, so to speak. We need family and friends who love us enough to warn us of impending problems that they see. And we need the humility to receive those warnings.
The pride that leads to defensiveness when someone loves us enough to give warning will also take us down. “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV).
The helicopter crew reassured ATC that they saw the traffic and would avoid it. Then they killed 67 people, including their own crew.
See and avoid! There’s too much at stake! A crash in life will not only affect you!
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour “ (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).