Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
ATC didn't "allow it".
The procedures allowed the controller to hand responsibility for separation to the helo pilot,
Well, that's interesting. You seem to be saying that "the system" worked as designed? FDR notes immediately before your reply:
7.2.1 VISUAL SEPARATION
a.2. Pilot-applied visual separation.
(a) Maintain communication with at least one of the aircraft involved and ensure there is an ability to communicate with the other aircraft.
(b) The pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed to maintain visual separation from the aircraft as follows
(1) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft. Include position, direction, type, and, unless it is obvious, the other aircraft's intention.
(2) Obtain acknowledgment from the pilot that the other aircraft is in sight.
(3) Instruct the pilot to maintain visual separation from that aircraft.
Did ATC do all of that? Having listened to the ATC comms (including the UHF) a few times, I believe they did, for the most part? They mentioned CRJ (of what use is mentioning the type at night, I have no idea, but they did), they mentioned where it was and where it was headed, and they received two acknowledgments...
So that means this collision occurred entirely within all established protocls?
These aircraft crashed, as per the system specifications.
So the system is, to put it plainly...FUBAR?
That's not good.
