According to the BBC they’ve retrieved the black boxes for both the air liner and the helicopter now. That should reveal more information once the data from both is dumped.
When I managed a terminal and had CDL-A drivers I was responsible for accident investigations. I am also SMITH system certified as an instructor. SMITH system is all about collision avoidance. If I applied the 5 factors of the system to the conditions prior to the accident, some things stand out. Neither pilot apparently had a clear image of the big picture around them, didn’t acquire positive visual identification of the other aircraft in relation to theirs. in time to take action. The airline pilots were probably focused on the landing procedures and getting into proper position, focused on the runway. The chopper pilots appear to following the river below them, which would mean a lot of attention focused down to stay on route and looking for ground obstacles (towers, buildings, etc). Add in night time visibility, and lots of ground clutter lighting, along with a busy air footprint because of the location. Add in a ATC doing double duty trying to focus on aircraft on approach and helos moving through the area.
It’s annoying isn’t it? You know what it reminds me of? Every time there is a weather event I have to hear climate change. Every time there is a hurricane, climate change. A tornado, climate change. A heat wave, climate change.
The airliner was 11:00 high and turning towards them, they were the same from the airliner, but below instead of above. The cockpit recordings should be very informative.
I mentioned that earlier while pointing out Pete was blowing smoke about how staffing was beefed up and how great things were when he was there and Trump sucks.
Also heard this short staffing is all over the country, not just that airport. Surprised it doesn’t happen more often.