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Robinson R22 crashes next A59 highway near Meindorf, St Augustin

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at approximately 16:50 LT, a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed in Meindorf, coming down in a field just meters from the A59 highway. According to emergency responders, multiple motorists witnessed the crash and promptly alerted authorities.

The impact caused the helicopter to break into several pieces. Despite the severity of the crash, the 40-year-old pilot and 31-year-old passenger managed to extricate themselves from the wreckage. Both were assessed at the scene before being transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) has been notified and will investigate to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities have secured the crash site pending further examination and decisions regarding the wreckage.

Video 1 by Follow me - HeliTech shows Robinson R22 Beta SN.2328 crashed onto an open field near Maindorf by St Augustin on February 18, 2025



On Wednesday January 29, 2025, this helicopter registered to the United States Army as 00-26860 with Mode-S Hex: AE213D was configured for executive transport, carrying senior U.S. officials and military personnel, and was operating under the callsign PAT25, signifying a "Priority Air Transport" flight. However, no senior officials were on board at the time. Operated by B Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir, the helicopter was on a routine training flight from Davison Army Airfield when the collision occurred.

They were flying at low altitudes over the Potomac River from north to south while on a required annual night evaluation. The three crew named CW2 Andrew Eaves, (39) CPT Rebecca Lobach, (28) and SSG Ryan O'Hara, (28) had probably night vision goggles in use.

At approximately 8:47 p.m. EST, less than 30 seconds before impact, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter crew if they had visual contact with the approaching airliner amid multiple similar aircraft operating in the vicinity. The crew confirmed they had an aircraft in sight and requested "visual separation," meaning they would maintain a safe distance on their own, which the controller approved. Moments later, the controller instructed the helicopter to pass behind Flight American Eagle 5342 crew consisting of Flight Captain Jonathan Campos, (34) Pilot First Officer Samuel Lilley, (28) Flight attendant Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder plus 60 passengers.

The two aircraft collided at an altitude yet to be precisely determined, with the airliner traveling at 128 mph (206 km/h; 111 kn) upon impact. The collision caused the helicopter to explode and crash into the Potomac River. Meanwhile, the CRJ700's transponder ceased transmitting about 2,400 feet (730 m) short of Runway 33, where it was cleared to land. Data from Flightradar24 indicated the transponder continued providing incorrect signals for about a minute after the crash.

The impact, which lasted just over a minute, was captured on a webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Additional footage showed a fiery trail, while other videos depicted the airliner in a left-hand spiral before crashing into the water, appearing to have lost most or all of its left wing. Witnesses reported the aircraft "split in half" upon impact, while the helicopter crashed upside down nearby. A pilot in an unrelated aircraft, on approach to the airport, confirmed the crash to air traffic control and reported flares from the opposite side of the Potomac.

The CRJ700 was equipped with a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), but these systems typically suppress Resolution Advisories (RA) below 1,000 feet (300 m) to prevent conflicts with terrain, reduce cognitive load on pilots, and avoid unnecessary guidance during critical landing phases.

Within three hours of the collision, authorities confirmed multiple fatalities. By 2:50 a.m., no survivors had been found, and search-and-rescue efforts were described as increasingly grim. By the afternoon, all 67 people aboard were presumed dead.

We extend our deepest condolences to all the families and friends affected by this tragic incident.

Video 1 by Guardian News shows How the Washington DC plane crash unfolded



Video 2 by CNN shows Exclusive: CNN obtains videos showing new angles of DC plane crash



Video 3 by LiveNOW from FOX shows DC plane crash: Jet wreckage removal to begin Monday, officials say



Video 4 by FOX 11 Los Angeles shows DC plane crash: Who were the victims on board?



Video 5 by New York Post published February 5, 2025, shows Black Hawk helicopter was flying too high before DC midair crash with American Airlines flight



Video 6 by WUSA9 published February 7, 2025, shows BNOAA aircraft scans water around DC collision for additional clues



The last monthly update was on July 6th, 2021. Due to family reasons, I can add additional helicopters only bit by bit for the time being. I hope you understand since this is still a one-man show.

Identified accidents are up to date till the 6th of August 2014. I will try for now to have the accidents updated from February 2021 till today.

The last monthly update was on July 6th, 2021. Due to family reasons, I can add additional helicopters only bit by bit for the time being. I hope you understand since this is still a one-man show.

Appeared:19.02.2025

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