Hey pilots, mechanics, and yes—FAA, you did it again… or you didn’t, depending on which side of the cockpit you’re on. It’s Miss Haps here with a “Wowza” deep dive into 2025’s most sobering avionics-related accidents. Buckle up—this is serious stuff.

Accident #1: Height Misreading + Helicopter + Jet = Disaster

Let’s get real about the Potomac River mid-air collision over Washington, D.C.—67 lives lost when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Eagle regional jet. Initial NTSB findings flagged a faulty barometric altimeter in the helicopter, misreporting altitude by 80–100 feet and placing it above its approved ceiling. FAA warnings about that helicopter route had been floating around for years, but were ignored. FAA did not mandate ADS-B on that helicopter either—which could’ve made a huge difference. This one hurts, folks—but there is a way forward. We expect the FAA to follow congressional recommendations that would require both ADS-B In and Out for all aircraft, including military, especially near active airports. Two-way visibility isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s how collisions get avoided. The final NTSB report is due out this month, and you know Miss Haps will be reading it cover to cover. Lessons learned mean safer skies, and that’s always all good in my logbook.

Accident #2: Avionics Fail or Pilot Flaw?

Bering Air Flight 445, a single-engine Cessna Caravan over the Bering Sea, crashed on Feb 6—killing all aboard. Investigation pointers include aircraft overloading and failure of de-icing systems, but the root may lie in a lack of redundant avionics backup alerts in icing conditions. No direct avionics failure has been confirmed—just a chilling reminder that sensor, data link, and alert design must account for environmental hazards.

Why These Crashes Matter: Avionics Errors Aren’t Just Technical— They’re Fatal

Altimeter misconfiguration and sensor drift can betray flight crews, especially in visual-separation or RVSM-class airspace.

Ignored system alerts (or lack thereof) reduce situational awareness until it’s too late.

Failure to install or mandate ADS-B, proper radios, or backup displays is cutting corners that cost lives.

Poor interconnection plans—like no audible alerts, or misconfigured warning hierarchies—can obscure critical avionics failures until catastrophe

Pilot error is often cited—around 53% of accidents per FAA stats—but when avionics mislead the pilot, the fault lies deeper.

Miss Haps Cleans Up: How Leading Edge Avionics Does It Better

At Leading Edge Avionics, we treat your avionics stack like a cockpit safety vault—not just cool screens on the panel.

Redundancy checks everywhere: dual sensors, backup alt data, cross-check alarms.

Rigorous calibration and installations per OEM/TSO standards.

Alert testing for every sensor axis, altitude board, autopilot trigger, and ADS-B failure.

Speak up, FAA: Demand route reviews and mandates for ADS-B in special-use or rotorcraft routes.

Final Thought from Miss Haps

Next time you glance at your panel or autopilot screen, ask: Is this system singing its song—or hiding a cough? If something feels off, speak up. Get a second opinion. Don’t let “tech issues” become safety issues.

FAA, please do the job you’re paid to do. Pilots and shops, stay on your toes. Everyone, stay cautious—but never lose faith in safety.

Final Thought from Miss Haps Keep crushing it,

G! Until next issue,

Miss Haps