Helicopter Pilot Ghosts Tower, Disrupts DC Airspace

On May 1st in Washington D.C., a helicopter pilot operating as Pat 23 failed to check in with the control tower after landing — causing serious confusion in the airspace and forcing two separate go-arounds at the airport. In this video, Captain Steeeve breaks down the event, explains what went wrong, and why radio discipline is non-negotiable in controlled airspace. With lives in the sky and coordination on the line, this wasn’t just a communication error — it was a complete breakdown of basic aviation protocol. Captain Steeeve doesn’t hold back in his critique of the helicopter pilots involved. ✈️ Watch to learn how a single missed call can unravel airport operations — and what every pilot should take from this. For business inquiries email us at: [email protected] For press or general questions: [email protected] Disclaimer: Captain Steeeve is not a spokesperson for any airline or aviation authority. The opinions expressed in this video are solely his own and are based on his experience as a professional pilot. This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an official statement from any airline, regulatory agency, or aviation organization. Special thanks to our friends over at VASAviation for collecting the ACT audio. Their work is important to aviation, please go and support them. @VASAviation #aviationincident #atc #captainsteeeve #HelicopterFail #piloterror #airtrafficcontrol #goaround #flightsafety #DCAirport #aviationbreakdown