10:24 pm - February 24, 2025
A tragic midair collision over Washington, D.C., on January 29, involving a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, has left investigators searching for answers. Preliminary analysis of the helicopter’s flight data and voice recorder suggests that inaccuracies in the helicopter’s altimeter and potential communication issues with the Reagan National Airport control tower may have played a role in the crash. The collision, which occurred under clear skies in one of the most tightly controlled airspaces in the country, resulted in the deaths of all 67 people on board both aircraft. As investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the disaster, they are uncovering conflicting data and raised questions about the crew’s awareness of their altitude and surroundings.
One of the key findings from the preliminary investigation is that the Black Hawk helicopter’s altimeter may not have provided accurate readings. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the helicopter’s radio altimeter showed an altitude of 278 feet at the time of the collision. However, this reading may not reflect the actual altitude the pilots were referencing. Homendy noted that the radio altimeter uses a radio beam to measure altitude above ground level, but it is unclear if this was the primary source of altitude information for the pilots. Additionally, the instructor pilot and the pilot flying the helicopter reported two different altitudes shortly before the crash, raising questions about potential discrepancies in the data they were using to navigate.
The collision occurred in a dedicated helicopter route where the Black Hawk was not authorized to fly above 200 feet, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) charts. Yet, the radio altimeter reading and other data suggest the helicopter may have been flying higher than permitted. Investigators are working to determine whether the crew was aware of their true altitude and whether they received critical instructions from the control tower. Homendy emphasized that the information released so far is preliminary and stressed that there are “inconsistencies” in the data, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. She also cautioned against placing blame on the Black Hawk crew, as the investigation is still in its early stages.
Communication between the Black Hawk crew and the control tower appears to have been a critical factor in the collision. Investigators believe the helicopter pilots may not have heard key instructions from the control tower, including a directive to pass behind the commuter jet 17 seconds before the crash. The voice recorder from the helicopter indicates that the crew may not have received this instruction, possibly because they were transmitting on the same frequency at the same time. Additionally, the crew may not have been aware of an earlier transmission indicating that the regional jet was preparing to land. These alleged communication failures are a major focus of the investigation, as they could have contributed to the pilots’ inability to avoid the collision.
The investigation into the crash is highly complex, requiring a thorough analysis of both aircraft’s flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, and physical wreckage. The Black Hawk’s cockpit voice recorder was recovered without damage, while the regional jet’s recorder sustained water intrusion but was successfully dried and remains functional. Investigators are also examining the helicopter’s pitot-static system and air data computer to understand the altitude information the pilots were seeing. However, barometric altitude, which is typically the primary reference for pilots, was not recorded on the flight data recorder, complicating efforts to determine the crew’s perception of their altitude.
The NTSB is also exploring the possibility that the Black Hawk crew was using night vision goggles during the flight, which could have added to the challenges of navigating in a crowded urban airspace. Night vision goggles require pilots to constantly scan their surroundings, and their use in a densely populated area with significant lighting could have contributed to confusion. Investigators are conducting a visibility study, using laser scans of the cockpits, to better understand what the pilots might have seen in the moments leading up to the collision. Additionally, the NTSB is investigating the helicopter’s automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) equipment, which is designed to track air traffic but was not transmitting at the time of the crash.
As the investigation progresses, the NTSB has completed its on-scene work and is now focusing on analyzing the physical evidence and data. A preliminary report on the crash is expected by the end of the month, but full answers may take much longer. Homendy expressed confidence that the agency will determine the cause of the crash, emphasizing the importance of understanding how such a tragedy occurred in one of the most controlled airspaces in the world. The results of this investigation will be crucial not only for providing closure to the victims’ families but also for improving aviation safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.