Officials: Black Hawk Helicopter Conducting ‘Doomsday’ Drill Before Crash with Passenger Plane in Washington DC | US News
The Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger airplane over Washington DC was engaged in a drill for a potential doomsday scenario at the time, as reported by US authorities.
Three soldiers aboard the military aircraft lost their lives, along with 64 individuals on the American Airlines flight.
This training exercise was focused on preparing for the evacuation of high-ranking US officials, according to a report by Reuters.
An inquiry into the accident’s cause is currently underway.
A Coast Guard vessel with a crane operates near the wreckage of the helicopter in the Potomac River. Pic: AP
It has been revealed that the helicopter was conducting a training mission along a critical route for a military operation that is not often discussed – the evacuation of senior officials in case of an attack on the US, according to officials.
This operation is referred to as “continuity of government” and “continuity of operations,” designed to ensure the government can continue to function during a disaster.
The approximate last known location of American Airlines Flight 5342 prior to the accident
New US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed the training mission of the Black Hawk crew on Thursday, stating they “were engaged in routine, annual re-training of night flights along a standard corridor for a continuity of government operation.”
The army has faced criticism for conducting nighttime flights near a busy airport, though officials highlighted the operation’s sensitive nature.
Read more:
Details about the passengers
Insights from air traffic audio
For a more accessible video player, please use Chrome browser
“Part of their mission is to assist the Department of Defense in the event of a significant crisis occurring in this vicinity, enabling the movement of our senior leaders,” stated Jonathan Koziol, the chief of staff for the army’s aviation directorate.
The last time this mission was documented to have been executed in reality was on September 11, 2001, when a Black Hawk was dispatched to retrieve then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz following the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
