The Rising Dangers in Army Aviation: A Crisis Waiting to Address

The story of Joe, a former Army National Guard pilot, is a harrowing reminder of the growing safety concerns within Army aviation. Joe’s Black Hawk helicopter crash during a training exercise in 2017 was a wake-up call, but it was met with dismissiveness from his unit leaders. Despite the near-death experience, his unit conducted a perfunctory investigation and implemented a cursory remedial exercise, showing little interest in addressing the root causes of the accident. The incident and its aftermath left Joe disillusioned, ultimately leading him to leave the National Guard. His story is not unique. Dozens of his fellow unit members also departed, citing safety concerns and a lack of accountability. Now, in the wake of the tragic collision of an Army Black Hawk with a passenger jet in Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives, Joe hopes the tragedy will spark long-overdue conversations about aviation safety within the Army.

A Crisis in the Skies: Rising Accidents and Lagging Solutions

The Army’s aviation program is grappling with a worrying trend of increasing accidents. In fiscal year 2024 alone, there were 15 Class A mishaps—the most severe category—resulting in 11 fatalities. This marks the highest number of such accidents in a decade. The previous year was equally alarming, with nine Class A accidents claiming 14 lives, the highest toll since 2010. Army crash investigators have identified human error as the primary factor in 82% of these incidents over the past five years. Yet, the Army’s response to these tragedies has been underwhelming. Brigadier General Matt Braman, the director of Army aviation, has acknowledged the need to “go back and look at the basics of what we do,” but meaningful reforms remain elusive. The recent crash in Washington, D.C., which involved a Black Hawk on a night training flight, has brought these issues into stark relief.

The Root Causes: Inexperience, Inadequate Training, and Resource Constraints

The spike in accidents can be traced back to a combination of factors, including the inexperience of aircrews and insufficient training. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and the drawdown in Iraq led to an exodus of seasoned aviators, leaving the Army with greener pilots. Compounding this problem is the lack of available helicopters for training, forcing student pilots to skip days and cram flying hours into shorter periods. This inconsistent training undermines the development of essential skills. Additionally, pilots are burdened with organizational tasks, inadequate funding for fuel, and shortages of instructors and maintenance personnel. The result is a dangerously underprepared force. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, active-duty units flew only 80% of their funded flight hours, and this year, the Army plans to reduce flying time by 25%, leaving combat aviation brigades with just 8.7 hours of flying per month.

The Tragic Crash in Washington, D.C.: A Case Study in Systemic Failures

The collision of an Army Black Hawk with an American Airlines regional jet in Washington, D.C., has raised questions about the Army’s ability to ensure aviation safety. The Black Hawk, flown by Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves and Capt. Rebecca Lobach, was on a routine training mission when it deviated from its approved route and altitude, leading to the tragic accident. While investigators have yet to determine the exact cause, the incident highlights the challenges of flying in one of the most congested and restricted airspaces in the country. The 12th Aviation Brigade, to which the pilots belonged, is responsible for transporting VIPs and conducting emergency evacuations, requiring extensive training to navigate the region’s complex airspace. Yet, even with such training, the crash underscores the risks associated with inexperienced pilots and inadequate oversight.

Efforts to Reform: A Long and Winding Road

The Army has taken some steps to address the aviation crisis, but progress has been slow and incremental. After a spate of crashes earlier this year, the service ordered extra training sessions and acknowledged that pilots were being rushed through their instruction. Plans to improve training include hiring contractor instructors and acquiring new helicopters, but these initiatives are still in their infancy. Meanwhile, the Army continues to struggle with retaining experienced pilots, as many opt to leave for lucrative careers with commercial airlines. While Congress has increased pilot retention bonuses, these measures have not been enough to stem the tide of departures. The average career flight time of Army aviators has dropped significantly over the past decade, further exacerbating the problem.

The Way Forward: Building a Culture of Safety

For Joe and other veteran aviators, the key to preventing future tragedies lies in fostering a robust safety culture within the Army. “It takes people talking about these things from the highest level of the Army to the lowest level,” Joe said. This includes acknowledging systemic failures, addressing resource shortages, and prioritizing pilot training and retention. The Army must also learn from past mistakes, rather than sweeping them under the rug. While the reforms currently being implemented are a step in the right direction, they alone will not solve the problem. True progress will require a cultural shift—one that values safety above all else. Until then, the risks faced by Army aviators and the public will remain unacceptably high.