Report: Pilots in deadly Black Hawk crash disobeyed orders

Author: the associated press
Published:
WEAR ABC 3 / MGN

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – An investigation of a Black Hawk helicopter crash in March that killed all 11 service members on board – including seven Marines – shows the Louisiana National Guard pilots in the training mission disobeyed direct orders by flying into worsening weather.

The military said in June that the crash was caused when the pilots became disoriented off the Florida coast. The mission took place as dense sea fog rolled in from the Gulf of Mexico.

The full report, obtained by The Associated Press late Thursday through a public records request, said the pilots were not authorized to fly in such bad weather and that others failed to challenge the over-confidence of the lead pilot.

Details of the report were reported by The Irish Times in June.

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