DC plane crash latest in series of US army helicopter training accidents

Aviation experts say piloting Black Hawk helicopters is a complex challenge but army defends training operations

In March 2023, two US army Black Hawk helicopters collided and crashed into a Kentucky farmer's field after a nighttime evacuation training mission, killing nine service members.

That crash was among a dozen fatal crashes during army Black Hawk training missions since 2014 that claimed the lives of 47 service members and in April 2023 helped prompt Pentagon officials to temporarily ground and provide more training to all army aviators not involved in critical missions.