A helicopter and a regional jet collided at Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulting in a tragedy that claimed the lives of all 67 people on board. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.
A midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in nearly a quarter-century. The accident occurred late Wednesday as the helicopter seemingly flew into the path of the jetliner while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport , situated just across the Potomac River from Washington , D.C. At least 28 bodies were recovered from the icy river waters.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration report obtained by The Associated Press, a single air traffic controller was responsible for managing both helicopter and arriving and departing aircraft traffic at the time of the collision. Typically, these duties are shared by two controllers, but the airport often combines the roles around 9:30 p.m. when traffic volume lessens. The supervisor in the tower instructed the merging of positions earlier than usual. The FAA report noted that the position configuration was unusual for the time of day and the volume of air traffic. However, a source familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously to discuss internal procedures, stated that the tower staffing on Wednesday night was at a normal level. The merging of positions is standard practice when controllers require breaks, during shift changes, or when air traffic is light.The recovery operation is now underway, with authorities searching an area of the Potomac River extending as far south as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, roughly 3 miles south of the airport. The plane, found upside-down in three sections in waist-deep water, is being carefully examined. Images from the scene show boats surrounding the partially submerged wing and the mangled wreckage of the plane's fuselage. The helicopter wreckage has also been located. The Black Hawk crew, according to an Army aviation official, was highly experienced and accustomed to the dense airspace around Washington, D.C. Both pilots had previously flown this route at night, making this not a new or unfamiliar scenario for them. The helicopter's maximum allowed altitude at the time of the crash was 200 feet above ground. While it remains unclear whether the helicopter exceeded this limit, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that altitude appeared to be a contributing factor in the collision. National Transportation Safety Board chairman Jennifer Homendy stated that the flight data recorders were still underwater, and investigators will not speculate on the cause of the crash until they have gathered more information. Air crash investigations can be lengthy, potentially taking months to complete.
Aviation Disaster Mid-Air Collision Ronald Reagan National Airport Washington D.C. Army Helicopter American Airlines Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control
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