The investigation into the deadly midair collision between a US military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Washington, DC, continues with intensive efforts to locate and recover debris. On Saturday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted an overnight scan of the Potomac River using advanced imaging technology, deploying green laser pulses from an aircraft to map the riverbed and locate debris. The technology used, called TopoBathy lidar, creates detailed underwater images to guide recovery teams. The scan was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed until Saturday due to weather conditions. Information gathered will be crucial for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as they proceed with their investigation.
The collision on January 29 claimed the lives of 67 people, including those on board both aircraft. Among the missing pieces from the Black Hawk are the right engine and tail rotor, highlighting the severity of the incident. Recovery teams, working with the NTSB and the Naval Sea Systems Command, successfully lifted much of the Black Hawk and other significant wreckage from the river on Thursday. As the investigation progresses, examiners are carefully analyzing material and flight data from both aircraft to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Lawmakers were updated on the investigation during a briefing on Thursday, though no major new discoveries were reported. Chair of the NTSB, Jennifer Homendy, revealed that investigators are still determining whether the Black Hawk’s ADS-B system, a critical surveillance technology that transmits real-time tracking data, was operational at the time of the crash. This system’s role has become a focal point for lawmakers, particularly Sen. Ted Cruz, who emphasized that there was no compelling reason to turn off the ADS-B during a training mission. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former Black Hawk pilot, noted that the system was installed in the aircraft, though its status at the time of the crash remains unclear.
The Black Hawk, based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, was conducting an annual training exercise involving government continuity operations when the collision occurred. The pilots involved were described by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as highly experienced and equipped with night vision goggles, further suggesting that the crash was not due to pilot error. As the investigation deepens, the focus is on understanding why the two aircraft were in such a proximity to each other, given the constraints of modern air traffic control systems.
Amid the ongoing search and investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken steps to enhance airport safety, particularly at locations where significant helicopter traffic operates in close proximity to commercial jets. The FAA announced it will review airports nationwide, while also reducing air traffic at Reagan National Airport due to recovery efforts and weather conditions. This has led to increased average delays from 40 to 50 minutes, as the hourly arrival rate dropped from 28 to 26 flights.
As the investigation into this tragic event unfolds, the focus remains on understanding the contributing factors and implementing measures to prevent future crashes. The FAA’s safety review and the attention of key lawmakers underscore the importance of learning from this incident and enhancing air safety protocols. While much remains unknown, the commitment to thorough investigation and proactive safety measures is evident, offering hope for improved security and reduced risks in the skies.
