As everyone knows, we’ve had the horrible crash involving a Blackhawk helicopter with a CRJ jet at Reagan; the crash of an air ambulance in Philadelphia; and, people are freaking out over the engine fire that required an evacuation. There has also been a huge amount of disgusting, despicable, and vile attacks on the helicopter crew even before their bodies were cold. To say that I am repulsed by what is being said, and especially by WHO is saying some of it, is an understatement.

Let’s start with some basics that are getting missed by far too many online or in the media. First up, there’s this whole thing called an investigation to be done. We really don’t know anything at this point, as there are few established facts beyond the fact that the crashes/incidents occurred. There is a process for such things, and for aviation a very specialized process.

If you can, look for a copy of an older booklet “Air Accidents and the News Media” from the sadly defunct (the late Martin Caidin and I did what we could to try and save it) Aviation/Space Writer’s Association. While old, the basic process remains much the same even though technology has changed some of the elements of that process. If I ever get moved and can find my copy, will look into scanning it in as a PDF as it is not a large booklet.

The “we want scapegoats and answers now or we will make shit up” crowd are not going to like the process. It is time consuming, because it is thorough. Some things are already underway: data from ATC and other sources has been secured and will be available for examination and review; mechanics and others involved with the flights were or are sequestered and initial statements taken (note, logs and such were taken in the first part I mentioned); and, photos, video, and other efforts to record the scene have been made. All of this has been going on even as recovery of the bodies is underway, and I will note that the only reason anything should have been moved was to recover a body. See the booklet as this is an issue.