Federal investigators are looking into the reasons why an American Airlines CRJ-700 and a U.S. Army VH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided.
In the hours following the mid-air collision that resulted in over 60 fatalities over Washington, DC, federal investigators aim to uncover how such an incident transpired.
On the evening of Wednesday, January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 crashed into the U.S. Army VH-60 Black Hawk, resulting in both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River and all passengers on board losing their lives.
Possible Causes Involving Air Traffic Control and Flight Data Recorders
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash occurred around 9 p.m. Eastern Time as American Flight 5342 was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). An air traffic controller had directed the pilots to adjust their landing approach to Runway 33, requiring a repositioning maneuver.
Shortly after this directive, the aircraft collided with the helicopter, which was undergoing a training mission in the vicinity. The Associated Press reported that the American flight was flying at an altitude of 400 feet, while the helicopter was cleared for just 200 feet above ground.
Investigators are piecing together the sequence of events that led to the collision. One potential factor could be related to the air traffic control operations that night. The AP indicated that only one air traffic controller was managing the two aircraft involved, a task typically assigned to two controllers. Before the collision, the controller reportedly inquired whether the helicopter had visual contact with the American flight and instructed it to cross behind.
ABC News highlighted that among the 67 victims of the crash were 14 individuals returning from a figure skating training camp in Kansas. One pilot’s father was reportedly in the Army and frequently flew along a similar route.
The National Transportation Safety Board is at the helm of the investigation, with assistance from the FAA.
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Note: The aircraft depicted is the American Airlines CRJ-700 involved in the incident, photographed in April 2022. Image courtesy: Colin Brown/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
