A devastating collision over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport claimed the lives of all 67 people on board a passenger jet and a military helicopter. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday night, marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2001. The American Airlines regional jetliner, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ-700, was executing its final approach into Runway 33 at approximately 300 feet when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter engaged in an annual proficiency training flight.
The helicopter was transitioning between designated tracks during normal procedure when the tragic event unfolded. In response to the catastrophe, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly imposed new flight restrictions for helicopters operating near Washington, D.C. and Reagan National Airport. These rules now dictate that helicopters must maintain a maximum altitude of 200 feet when flying close to the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed leadership of the investigation. They have recovered both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the passenger jet, which have been transported to NTSB laboratories for thorough analysis. The ongoing investigation also involves retrieving evidence from the Potomac River, as experts seek to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic collision.
"It's not that we don't have information. We do have information. We have substantial amounts of information. We need to verify information. We need to take our time to make sure it is accurate." – NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy
Investigators are meticulously examining various factors, including communication protocols, staffing levels, and altitude compliance of the military helicopter involved in the incident. The Black Hawk was navigating a designated helicopter zone in Washington, D.C., which further complicates the investigative process due to the unique airspace environment.
"In DC, it's kind of a unique environment," – National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman