The black boxes from a commercial flight that tragically collided with a military helicopter in Washington, DC have been successfully recovered. This incident raises urgent questions regarding staffing practices and prior near-misses at the airport where the civilian aircraft was landing.
Typically, two air traffic controllers oversee the airspace for both helicopters and airplanes in this highly regulated area, yet reports indicate that only one controller was on duty at the time of the crash. This information, sourced from officials and reported by CBS News, has prompted intensified scrutiny of air traffic control operations.
Ongoing investigation into the crash
The collision, which resulted in the loss of all 67 lives aboard the two aircraft, is currently under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to issue a preliminary report within the next 30 days. The recovered flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly referred to as black boxes, are expected to provide critical insights into the events leading up to the incident.
These vital pieces of evidence will be sent to the NTSB laboratory for analysis. Preliminary findings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have described the staffing situation as “not normal,” highlighting longstanding challenges within the federal agency to fill essential air traffic control positions. While having a single controller manage operations for both types of aircraft is reportedly not uncommon, it has raised concerns about the adequacy of safety protocols.
Search and recovery efforts underway
Search and recovery teams have been actively scouring the icy waters of the Potomac River in an effort to locate the bodies of the victims, though operations were temporarily halted due to hazardous conditions. So far, 27 bodies have been recovered from the American Airlines flight, which was carrying 64 passengers, along with one body from the helicopter that was on a training mission with three soldiers aboard.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences during a White House briefing, stating, “we can only begin to imagine the agony that you’re all feeling,” and added, “our hearts are shattered alongside yours.”
The collision occurred around 9:00 PM local time on Wednesday, as the PSA Airlines jet, flying as American Airlines 5342, approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, and included passengers such as young figure skaters, their mothers, and two Russian coaches.
In the aftermath of the crash, international condolences have poured in, including from China, which confirmed the deaths of two of its nationals and called for prompt updates regarding the investigation. The Sikorsky H-60 helicopter involved belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, and had departed from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked on the devastation, stating, “It’s a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner, and of course the three soldiers in that Black Hawk [helicopter].”