ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — In the aftermath of the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. in nearly a quarter-century, investigators disclosed preliminary findings indicating conflicting altitude readings between a commercial aircraft and an Army helicopter that collided near Reagan National Airport in Washington. The tragic incident claimed the lives of all passengers on board both aircraft, as reported on Saturday.
Reportedly, moments before the collision, the jet’s flight recorder showed a change in pitch. However, it remains unclear whether this adjustment in angle was an attempt by the pilots to evade the impending crash. Data extracted from the jet’s flight recorder revealed an altitude of 325 feet, with a margin of error of 25 feet, at the time of the accident. Conversely, information from the control tower indicated that the Black Hawk helicopter was at an altitude of 200 feet at that moment, creating a discrepancy of approximately 100 feet.
Efforts are underway to reconcile the altitude disparities by consulting the black box data retrieved from the helicopter, which was delayed due to water damage sustained when it crashed into the Potomac River. Additionally, investigators intend to refine the tower data, which may not be as dependable.
During a press briefing on Saturday evening, NTSB member Todd Inman expressed frustration with persistent inquiries from reporters seeking additional clarification on the readings. He acknowledged internal disagreements within the investigative team about releasing the information prematurely and emphasized the ongoing efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The investigation is further complicated by the complexity of the incident, as an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 64 individuals was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport when the tragedy unfolded. The Army Black Hawk helicopter, with three soldiers on board, entered the jet’s path, resulting in the fatal collision.
Brice Banning, the lead NTSB investigator, described the comprehensive nature of the probe, highlighting the meticulous data collection efforts being undertaken by the investigative team. Banning provided insights into the final moments captured by the jet’s black boxes, including the crew’s verbal response and the aircraft’s pitch adjustment before impact.
Inman urged authorities to prioritize the implementation of NTSB recommendations to enhance aviation safety, emphasizing the importance of learning from such tragedies to prevent future calamities. He emphasized the emotional toll on the victims’ families and vowed to provide them with answers as the investigation progresses.
Recovery teams and divers continued their search in the Potomac River, clearing wreckage and debris throughout the day.
A Coast Guard cutter with a crane was on standby nearby, as team members intermittently entered the water alongside smaller emergency boats. Washington emergency officials reported that the bodies of 42 individuals had been recovered from the river by afternoon, with 38 of them positively identified. It is anticipated that all remains will be retrieved, although extracting the plane’s fuselage from the water may be necessary to complete the recovery efforts.
In a separate development on Saturday, the Army disclosed the identity of the third soldier who perished in the crash as Cpt. Rebecca M. Lobach from Durham, North Carolina. While the names of the other two deceased soldiers were made public the day before, Lobach’s identity was initially withheld at the request of her family.
Confirming the proficiency of the helicopter crew, Army officials noted their extensive experience navigating the congested airspace around the city. Military aircraft often conduct practice flights along these routes to prepare for potential evacuations of key government figures during emergencies.
The ongoing investigation is scrutinizing the actions of both the military pilot and air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration has been grappling with a shortage of controllers for some time. A comprehensive NTSB inquiry typically spans at least a year, although a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
More than 300 responders were actively involved in the recovery operation at any given moment, with clear skies and warmer temperatures on Saturday providing improved conditions for field workers. Additionally, two Navy salvage barges were dispatched to assist in lifting heavy wreckage.
Addressing the challenging circumstances, Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly Sr. remarked to reporters on Friday, “This is heartbreaking work. It’s been a tough response for a lot of our people.”
While the nation mourned the tragic incident, another aviation disaster occurred on Friday night in Philadelphia, where an air ambulance crashed into a busy intersection, claiming the lives of all six individuals on board, including a child who had recently received medical treatment at a hospital, and at least one bystander. Several individuals remained hospitalized with injuries on Saturday, and authorities cautioned that it may take days to ascertain the full extent of casualties.
Following the crash, the FAA imposed significant restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport. President Donald Trump had criticized the helicopter pilot’s actions and alleged, without substantiation, that diversity initiatives had compromised air safety. However, he later acknowledged that the helicopter had flown above the permitted altitude, stating on Truth Social, “It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???”
The tragic incident on Wednesday marked the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when a jet crashed into a residential area in Queens, New York, shortly after taking off from Kennedy Airport. The collision claimed the lives of all 260 individuals on board and five individuals on the ground.
While experts emphasize the overall safety of air travel, the congested airspace around Reagan National Airport can pose challenges even for seasoned pilots
