VIP Transport Helicopter Crashes, Killing Crew
A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight near Ronald Reagan National Airport was training for a critical mission: transporting top U.S. leaders to safety in the event of an attack on Washington. The crash on Wednesday, which killed 67 people, highlights the dangers of operating military flights in the capital’s crowded airspace and raises concerns about the unit’s routine use for transporting VIPs.
In response, the FAA indefinitely suspended most helicopter flights near Reagan National, and the Army halted operations for the 12th Aviation Battalion—the unit involved—until further notice, pending an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. A group of lawmakers urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to extend the pause indefinitely and conduct a full safety review.
The Army identified two of the Black Hawk crew members: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Md., and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Ga. The third crew member, a woman, was not named at her family’s request—an unusual move, as military casualty records are typically public.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Va., has a long history of flying top officials in and out of conflict zones, from Vietnam to Lebanon. Today, its primary mission is domestic, including ensuring the continuity of government operations in the event of a crisis like 9/11.
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The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight near Ronald Reagan National Airport was conducting a training mission to transport top U.S. leaders to safety in the event of a national emergency. The crash, which killed 67 people, has intensified concerns about military flights in Washington’s congested airspace and the routine use of these helicopters to ferry VIPs.
Known as “gold tops” for their distinct paint job, these helicopters serve as a high-end air taxi for senior military and government officials, shuttling them to bases and other locations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. The frequent flights have become a familiar sound at the Pentagon, where officials regularly see them landing and taking off. Some Army helicopters even transport two- and three-star generals from Fort Belvoir to the Pentagon, cutting travel time by up to 45 minutes.
The Air Force’s 1st Helicopter Squadron, based at Joint Base Andrews, also provides similar transport services. “I’ve heard pilots say they enjoy being a taxi service for generals,” said Andrew Logan, co-founder of Helicopters of DC, a website tracking helicopter activity in Washington.
While officials defend the practice as necessary for efficiency, the deadly crash has sparked debate about its risks, particularly near Reagan National, an airport known for its short runways, heavy congestion, and restricted airspace near the White House and Pentagon. Some pilots have suggested new flight paths to keep military helicopters at least a mile away from the airport’s approach corridor.
Investigators are now probing several key factors in the crash, including air traffic control instructions, changes to the commercial jet’s landing runway, and whether the Black Hawk was flying too high or off course. The FAA’s internal review found that air traffic control staffing was “not normal” at the time, with combined responsibilities for helicopter and plane movements—an occasionally used but controversial practice.
Washington, D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly Sr. confirmed that 28 of the 41 bodies recovered from the crash site have been identified. He emphasized that removing the wreckage from the Potomac River is crucial to recovering more remains, with work set to begin Saturday.
The Black Hawk crew had over 1,500 combined flight hours, with extensive experience flying in Washington. Instructor pilot Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, a decorated veteran who transitioned from the Navy to the Army in 2017, is still missing. His widow, Carrie Eaves, requested prayers for all affected families.
Crew chief Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, was a decorated soldier with a decade of service, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He was married and had an 18-month-old son. The Army believes his remains have been recovered.
As investigations continue, the Pentagon and FAA face growing pressure to reevaluate helicopter operations in Washington’s crowded skies.
David S. Cloud contributed to this article.