Army Helicopters Avoid Fireworks During NFL Flyover in Seattle

An Army Black Hawk helicopter narrowly avoided being struck by fireworks during a pregame flyover at an NFL game in Seattle last week. According to officials from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, no damage was sustained and none of the aircrew members were injured.

Videos of the incident, which occurred on November 2nd at Lumen Field, quickly went viral on social media platforms such as Reddit’s aviation subreddit. In one video, four Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington are seen flying over the stadium with the fourth helicopter narrowly missing a burst of fireworks.

The incident has raised concerns about coordination between sports venues and military flights. Aviation experts have pointed out that similar lack of coordination could lead to serious accidents, citing a 1982 incident where a Bell UH-1 helicopter crashed on a California movie set after special-effect explosions detonated too close to the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation found that the tail rotor was severed by fire and debris, causing the helicopter to descend out of control and resulting in three fatalities and six injuries.

Officials from Joint Base Lewis-McChord have not yet commented on whether an internal investigation has been initiated or if any corrective actions will be taken following this near-miss incident. The base's spokesperson stated that they are currently reviewing all safety protocols related to such flyovers to ensure the highest level of protection for both military personnel and civilians.

The NFL game in Seattle was part of a larger tradition where military helicopters perform ceremonial flyovers before select games throughout the season, honoring service members and veterans. However, this incident highlights the potential risks involved when fireworks are deployed near these events without proper coordination with airspace management.

Military aviation safety officials emphasized that while no harm came to the crew or aircraft in this instance, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough planning and communication between all parties involved in such public displays. The Air Force and other branches have strict guidelines for flight operations over populated areas; however, coordination with civilian entities like sports venues is crucial.

This near-miss underscores the need for improved interagency cooperation to prevent future incidents that could endanger both military personnel and civilians during similar events. As a result of this incident, discussions are underway to enhance safety measures and communication strategies between military aviation units and event organizers when scheduling flyovers over stadiums or other public venues where fireworks displays may occur.

The Army has confirmed that the aircrew members involved in the Seattle incident are safe and that there is no damage to any aircraft. However, the broader implications of this near-miss have prompted a reevaluation of safety protocols across various branches of the military.