Initial findings from the fatal plane and helicopter collision near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., reveal discrepancies in altitude readings between the two aircraft involved. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced over the weekend that the American Airlines flight recorder indicated an altitude of approximately 325 feet, give or take 25 feet, at the time of impact. However, control tower data placed the Army Black Hawk helicopter at 200 feet, the maximum permitted altitude for helicopters in that airspace.
This roughly 100-foot difference remains unexplained. Investigators are striving to recover data from the helicopter's submerged black box, which is proving challenging due to water damage. They also aim to refine the potentially less reliable control tower data to reconcile the discrepancy.
The NTSB's lead investigator, Brice Banning, described the investigation as complex, with numerous factors to consider. Data retrieved from the jet's black boxes, which record cockpit sounds and flight data, revealed the crew's verbal reaction moments before the collision. The flight data recorder shows the plane increasing its pitch just before impact sounds are heard. It remains unclear whether this pitch change was an attempted evasive maneuver.
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST as the regional jet, en route from Wichita, Kansas, with 64 people on board, prepared to land. The helicopter, carrying three soldiers, intersected the jet's path. Tragically, there were no survivors.
NTSB member Todd Inman voiced frustration over the lack of action on hundreds of safety recommendations previously made by the board. He emphasized the importance of implementing these recommendations to prevent future tragedies, especially after spending time with grieving families.
Families of the victims visited the crash site on Sunday as divers continued to search for remains. Authorities have recovered and identified 55 of the 67 victims and are confident in recovering all remains from the Potomac River. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, but the full investigation is anticipated to take at least a year.
