As the investigators continue working to determine the cause of the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, DC, the preliminary data released by the US national transportation safety board (NTSB) on Saturday showed discrepancies regarding the altitude of the two aircraft at the time of the collision.
The incident, which occurred Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft, is the deadliest aviation accident in the US since 2001.
As per the preliminary data, flight recorder of the American Airlines jet indicated an altitude of approximately 325 feet (99 meters), with a possible error margin of 25 feet (7.6 meters). However, air traffic control records suggested that the Black Hawk helicopter was flying at 200 feet (61 meters), raising questions about how the crash occurred.
“That’s what our job is, to figure that out,” said NTSB member Todd Inman, who grew visibly frustrated when pressed for more details during a news conference, news agency AP reported.
Investigators hope to clarify the altitude differences once they recover data from the helicopter’s black box, which was waterlogged and has taken longer to retrieve. The tower data, which can sometimes be unreliable, is also being refined.
The wreckage of both aircraft landed in the Potomac River, where divers and recovery crews have been working since Wednesday night. As of Saturday afternoon, officials had retrieved the remains of 42 victims, 38 of whom had been positively identified.
According to Washington emergency officials, the bodies of all passengers are expected to be recovered, though retrieving those trapped in the aircraft fuselage may require pulling the wreckage from the water, AP reported.
A Coast Guard cutter with a crane has been stationed at the crash site to assist with recovery efforts. More than 300 responders have been working in the area, with additional Navy salvage barges expected to arrive to help lift heavy wreckage. Washington fire chief John Donnelly Sr. described the work as “heartbreaking” and emotionally taxing for rescue workers.
Questions over airspace restrictions and flight procedures
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed strict helicopter traffic restrictions over the Reagan National Airport area following the crash. Military officials have stated that the helicopter crew was highly experienced and familiar with the congested airspace in Washington, where military aircraft often conduct practice flights for emergency evacuation routes.
Investigators are reviewing multiple factors, including the actions of the military pilot and air traffic controllers at the time of the accident. As per AP, NTSB is also examining the helicopter’s altitude restrictions and whether the crew was using night vision goggles.
US President Donald Trump commented on social media, alleging that the helicopter was flying above the permitted altitude of 200 feet. “It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” he wrote on Truth Social.
NTSB officials have interviewed at least one air traffic controller who was on duty during the collision, and more interviews are expected. The FAA’s long-standing staffing shortages among air traffic controllers may also be a factor under review.
A full NTSB investigation could take a year to complete, but a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
