The investigation into the January 29th mid-air collision in the Potomac River continues, with officials revealing that 42 sets of remains have been recovered from the crash site, of which 38 have been positively identified. The recovery of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, however, has proven challenging. Meanwhile, officials are analyzing air traffic control transcripts and investigating the possibility of night vision goggles being used by the helicopter crew.
Washington, D.C., officials provided updates on the investigation into the January 29th Potomac River mid-air collision on Saturday, outlining the recovery of remains and debris from the crash site. A statement issued on Saturday by Unified Command revealed that rescuers have retrieved '42 sets of remains' so far, with the D.C. chief medical examiner positively identifying 38 individuals. Sixty-seven people perished in the incident.
Officials also disclosed their attempts to remove the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter using a crane, which was 'briefly stabilized,' but the operation has yet to be successful. 'The U.S. Coast Guard is on the scene with numerous resources assisting with search efforts and enforcing a safety zone on the Potomac River,' the statement read.Today, salvage crews from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving are assessing the area and preparing for the recovery of the aircraft,' the statement added. 'Divers from the salvage company are surveying the wreckage throughout the day.' During a news conference held Saturday evening, officials stated they were 'working through the transcript of the air traffic control,' according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman. 'Both the airplane and the helicopter would hear any air traffic control, but they would not hear the other aircraft or helicopter,' Inman explained. 'I bring that up because we are now working through the transcript of the air traffic control, and many people have heard different recordings. Those do not contain the UHF (ultra-high frequency) radio transmissions…as we synchronize the timing on that, we hope to be able to release them.'Officials also were unable to confirm if the crew members in the Black Hawk helicopter were wearing night vision goggles at the time of the incident. 'We can verify it was on a training flight that would utilize night vision goggles,' Inman said. 'We do not know at this time if the night vision goggles were actively being worn, nor what the setting may be. Further investigation should be able to let us know if that occurred and what it may factor. It may play in the overall accident.' Also on Saturday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released a video on X stating that he has recently spoken to family members of the victims, saying that their pain is 'unimaginable.' 'When I know information, I'm going to share with them, but also with the American people,' Duffy said. 'Yesterday, we restricted the airspace around DCA from helicopter travel, making sure people feel safe as they come in and out of our capital city in the coming days.' 'We're going to have more announcements. I want Americans to feel confident in American air travel.
Potomac River Crash Mid-Air Collision Aircraft Recovery NTSB Investigation Night Vision Goggles Air Traffic Control
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