how does a plane even hit a helicopter

Helicopter gets in the way.

American 5342 was on final, fully configured for landing and cleared for runway 33. Controller instructed PAT-25 (who had confirmed he had visual on the plane) to pass behind. That instruction was not followed.

Guaranteed the final report will be pilot deviation, wholly the army pilot's fault. The only question is how much spite the NTSB packs into their report over poor airspace management around Reagan.

5342 was below FL010 so TCAS would have been inhibited.

how does a plane even hit a helicopter

Helicopter gets in the way.

American 5342 was on final, fully configured for landing and cleared for runway 33. Controller instructed PAT-25 (who had confirmed he had visual on the plane) to pass behind. That instruction was not followed.

Guaranteed the final report will be pilot deviation, wholly the army pilot's fault. The only question is how much spite the NTSB packs into their report over poor airspace management around Reagan.

5342 was below FL010 so TCAS would have been inhibited. They would not have received a "TRAFFIC" callout.

how does a plane even hit a helicopter

Helicopter gets in the way.

American 5342 was on final, fully configured for landing and cleared for runway 33. Controller instructed PAT25 (who had confirmed he had visual on the plane) to pass behind. That instruction was not followed.

Guaranteed the final report will be pilot deviation, wholly the army pilot's fault. The only question is how much spite the NTSB packs into their report over poor airspace management around Reagan.

5342 was below FL010 so TCAS would have been inhibited. They would not have received a "TRAFFIC" callout.

how does a plane even hit a helicopter

Helicopter gets in the way.

American 5342 was on final, fully configured for landing and cleared for runway 33. Controller instructed PAT-25 (who had confirmed he had visual on the plane) to pass behind. That instruction was not followed.

Guaranteed the final report will be pilot deviation, wholly the army pilot's fault. The only question is how much spite the NTSB packs into their report over poor airspace management around Reagan.

5342 was below FL010 so TCAS would have been inhibited. They would not have received a "TRAFFIC" callout.

how does a plane even hit a helicopter

Helicopter gets in the way.

American 5342 was on final, fully configured for landing and cleared for runway 33. Controller instructed PAT-25 (who had confirmed he had visual on the plane) to pass behind. That instruction was not followed.

Guaranteed the final report will be pilot deviation, wholly the army pilot's fault. The only question is how much spite the NTSB packs into their report over poor airspace management around Reagan.