Over two weeks after a tragic collision between a helicopter and an airplane claimed the lives of 67 individuals in Washington, investigators have concluded their examination at the Potomac River site where both aircraft went down, marking the deadliest air disaster in the U.S. since 2001. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) provided a comprehensive timeline on Friday detailing the events leading up to the accident, yet numerous questions remain unanswered.
President Donald Trump publicly criticized the helicopter for flying too high, citing its flight altitude of 278 feet (85 meters) in contrast to the specified ceiling of 200 feet (61 meters). However, it is uncertain whether the pilots were aware of this discrepancy. Trump also attributed the incident to federal diversity and inclusion initiatives, particularly concerning air traffic controllers, though he could not substantiate these claims when pressed by the media. Subsequently, the president shifted blame to an alleged outdated air traffic control system.
Investigators are scrutinizing whether the helicopter’s pilots received incorrect altitude information and how their visibility was affected by night vision goggles. Below is a summary of the events leading up to the crash and the aftermath:
January 29:
– At approximately 8:15 p.m., American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 64 passengers, commences its descent into Reagan National Airport.
– At 8:43, the airport’s tower instructs the plane to switch runways, while an Army Black Hawk helicopter, known as PAT25, is flying south over the river.
– The cockpit recording reveals conflicting altitude reports from the helicopter’s pilots, with the aircraft continuing to descend as it nears the airport.
– Controllers inform the helicopter crew of a passenger jet’s position, granting permission for visual separation to enable closer proximity between the two aircraft.
– Moments before the collision, the controller issues instructions to avoid the jet, but the helicopter’s recorder indicates the pilots may not have received the directive.
– A collision alert is triggered on the plane just before impact, prompting an evasive maneuver by the pilots.
– Both aircraft plummet into the river, triggering a rescue operation.
January 30:
– Trump announces to the media in the morning that there were no survivors.
Throughout the investigation, authorities are delving into multiple factors surrounding the tragedy to ascertain the root causes of the fatal air disaster.
It is uncertain what caused the collision. The names of the individuals on both flights start to surface online, shared in Facebook tributes or statements from grieving families. By midday, the bodies of all three soldiers in the helicopter are recovered. Dean Naujoks, who patrols the Potomac for the Waterkeeper Alliance, discovers pages from the flight manual, a piece of the plane’s cabin wall, and numerous sugar packets with the American Airlines logo about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downstream from the crash site. He hands these items over to the FBI. Later in the day, the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders are retrieved and sent to labs for analysis.
On January 31, amidst rain, police boats search the Potomac for victims while investigators look for clues. Officials reveal that the Black Hawk’s black box has been found and the flight data is under review, including the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control. Over 300 responders, including dive teams, are present at the scene throughout the day, and by afternoon, the remains of 41 individuals have been recovered. The Army discloses the names of two of the deceased soldiers: Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39.
On February 1, the weather clears as recovery efforts continue in the water. Investigators address a discrepancy in altitude data between the helicopter and airliner, hoping the helicopter’s black box can assist in resolving the disparity. The remains of the third soldier, Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, are identified by the Army. The number of recovered victims rises to 55, with officials expressing confidence that the remaining individuals will be found.
On February 2, salvage crews retrieve an engine and significant parts of the airliner and helicopter from the Potomac. Families gather by the riverbank as the recovery process unfolds. The focus remains on dignified recovery of remains, with strict protocols in place to handle debris respectfully.
By February 3, salvage teams recover more aircraft components and work on lifting wreckage from the water. Parts of the helicopter and plane are transported to a hangar for further investigation. Families of the victims stand vigil at the Potomac.
On February 4, amid challenging conditions, crews raise large sections of the jetliner, including the right wing and fuselage parts. Investigators examine new data to understand the altitude discrepancy. It is announced that the remains of all 67 victims have been recovered and nearly all identified.
February 5 sees the first memorial service held for a crash victim. A flight attendant is remembered in North Carolina as a beloved family member who cherished his career. Plans are made for a figure skating tribute to honor the victims.
The tragic incident unfolded in Washington, D.C., during early March, involving a group of individuals who had recently attended a development camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Authorities have confirmed the identities of all the crash victims, and efforts are underway by the medical examiner to repatriate the remains to their respective families. On February 6th, salvage crews completed the extraction of all major components of the helicopter and jet from the river. Subsequently, the wreckage was transported to a secure hangar for thorough examination by NTSB investigators in search of vital clues. During a briefing with senators, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz disclosed that NTSB officials revealed that the helicopter’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, a crucial aviation surveillance technology transmitting aircraft location and other data to air traffic control and other aircraft, had been deactivated. He raised concerns regarding the reasons behind this deactivation.
