REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
The U.S. Army has released its investigation into the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which killed 67 people. After comparing the Army’s findings with the NTSB’s investigation, airline pilot and YouTuber Captain Steeeve, whose real name is Steve Scheibner, has his own conclusions about who is to blame for the tragedy.
Captain Steeeve reports that both investigations determine the crash was preventable, but who they blame for the crash is where the conflict arises. The Army’s report uncovers operational mistakes made that night. The NTSB’s report concludes that there are contributing factors, including air traffic control and military aviation procedures. To sum it up, Captain Steeeve says: "They're in two different universes.”
In both reports, there are clear communication failures identified. The reports also note issues related to the pilots' vision, altitude issues, and unmet safety procedures. The Army says air traffic control played a large role, explaining there were blocked radio transmissions which impacted incoming and outgoing communications.
Captain Steeeve does not believe the Army is being accountable enough. He specifically criticizes the helicopter crew for requesting visual separation without properly identifying the other aircraft. He says this results in situations where pilots report traffic they don’t actually see, which is problematic and dangerous.
Captain Steeeve also says the helicopter crew’s decision to wear night-vision goggles in crowded Washington could have restricted their overall vision. He says in the investigation, the Army report fails to address that concern. Another point of contention is the airspace design, which Captain Steeeve notes was inadequate and created a safety hazard.
While both reports share similar contributing factors, the reports differ in recommendations. The NTSB requests expansive aviation safety and regulatory reforms. The Army recommends enhanced military training, updated internal procedures, and improved communication to prevent future catastrophic results.
According to Captain Steeeve, Congress is to blame, pointing to post-9/11 security restrictions that helped shape the congested helicopter routes around DCA. He says that lawmakers created an unsafe system and have been slow to introduce effective reform.
Retraining pilots and improving communication methods will not prevent future tragedies. Captain Steeeve believes airspace design needs to be reassessed. He also says that to rectify this situation and prevent future collisions, agencies and lawmakers in place need to be held responsible. He sides more with the NTSB’s findings. Captain Steeeve accuses the Army of minimizing its role overall in the tragic crash.