Commercial Fixed Wing
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airspace Structure; Procedure
We were on the Mount Vernon Visual Approach to Washington National Airport; and the Tower instructed us to circle to land on Runway 33. While we made our approach to Runway 33; Tower advised a helicopter was maneuvering at our 12 o'clock position. As we continued our approach; Tower instructed the helicopter to 'make a right 360 for a jet on a 2 mile final for Runway 33; and to report him in sight' (referring to our aircraft.) The Tower then asked the helicopter if he had us in sight. He replied 'yes'; and the Tower told him to maintain visual separation. As we began our turn from base to final; the helicopter made what looked like a right turn directly into our flight path. The Captain; the pilot flying; made a hard right turn and executed a missed approach to avoid a collision. I'm not sure how close we came to the helicopter since it was on the left side of the aircraft; but I would guess it was only a few hundred feet.
The helicopter did his 360 right in front of Runway 33...I executed a missed approach with a climbing right turn to avoid the helicopter and stay away from the prohibited areas. Tower said they were going to file a report.
When cleared off the Mount Vernon visual to circle to land on Runway 33 the flight crew of a commercial fixed wing aircraft suffered a NMAC with helicopter that had been directed to make a right 360 to clear the approach path.