67 killed in midair collision between American Airways jet and Military Black Hawk over Potomac River. 41 our bodies recovered; wreckage search ongoing. NTSB investigates helicopter deviation, air visitors management staffing. Each black containers discovered; preliminary report due in 30 days.
Restoration crews and divers scoured the Potomac River on Saturday for stays and wreckage following Wednesday evening’s midair collision between an American Airways passenger jet and an Military Black Hawk helicopter, which killed all 67 individuals on board.
As of Friday afternoon, 41 our bodies had been recovered, with 28 positively recognized. Washington, DC, Hearth Chief John Donnelly stated retrieving all stays could require lifting the aircraft’s fuselage from the river.
Over 300 responders, together with Coast Guard and Navy groups, labored in improved climate circumstances Saturday. Salvage barges helped them deal with heavy particles.
The collision occurred because the American Airways flight, carrying 64 passengers from Wichita, Kansas, approached Ronald Reagan Nationwide Airport. The jet struck the helicopter, which had three extremely skilled Military crew members on board. Army officers confirmed the helicopter was conducting a routine coaching flight for potential emergency evacuations of presidency officers.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) is main the investigation, with a preliminary report anticipated inside 30 days. Each plane’s black containers have been recovered. Investigators are inspecting air visitors management actions, the helicopter’s altitude, and whether or not evening imaginative and prescient goggles had been in use.
The helicopter deviated from its path, and the air management was understaffed
Early findings recommend the helicopter deviated from its authorised flight path, flying above 300 toes as an alternative of the permitted 200 toes and straying at the very least half a mile off target.
Air visitors management staffing and procedures are additionally below scrutiny, because the controller dealing with the collision was managing each helicopter and aircraft visitors—a activity sometimes cut up between two controllers.
The FAA has lengthy struggled with a scarcity of air visitors controllers, and Reagan Nationwide has been understaffed for years. NTSB member Todd Inman confirmed interviews with controllers are ongoing, with staffing ranges and coaching below evaluate.
The tragedy has reignited considerations about aviation security, notably in congested airspace like Reagan Nationwide’s. President Donald Trump claimed on social media that the helicopter was “flying too excessive,” although officers haven’t confirmed this.
This marks the deadliest US aviation incident since 2001, when a jet crashed in Queens, New York, killing 265 individuals. Whereas air journey stays overwhelmingly secure, the collision underscores the necessity to deal with systemic points, together with staffing shortages and operational pressures, to stop future disasters.
