Cruz Reveals Black Hawk Had Key Safety System Turned off Going Into Deadly Crash

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas revealed Thursday that the U.S. Army helicopter that collided with a passenger jet last week near Washington’s Reagan Airport had a key safety system turned off.
Cruz, who is chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told reporters after receiving a briefing from Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board officials that the Black Hawk helicopter had its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS‑B) turned off.
The ADS‑B is a technology that transmits the aircraft’s location to air traffic control and other aircraft in the area.

“This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS‑B to be turned off,” Cruz said.
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The senator said, he “asked the Army to reconsider and assess with what frequency is the Army tur …