As of February 2, 2025, the investigation into the January 29 mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has yielded several key findings:
Flight Data Recorders:
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the flight data recorders, commonly known as “black boxes,” from both the American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 and the U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Analysis of these devices is ongoing to determine the sequence of events leading up to the collision. (reuters.com)
Altitude Discrepancies:
- Preliminary data indicates that the Black Hawk helicopter was operating at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, which is 100 feet higher than the 200-foot ceiling designated for military helicopters in that airspace. This deviation is a focal point in the investigation. (nypost.com)
Air Traffic Control and Visual Identification:
- The Black Hawk crew had reported visual contact with the American Airlines flight and accepted responsibility for maintaining separation. However, aviation experts suggest that the helicopter pilot may have misidentified another aircraft, leading to the fatal miscalculation. (people.com)
Equipment and Technology:
- The Black Hawk helicopter lacked Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, which provides precise real-time location data to air traffic controllers. This absence may have contributed to the difficulty in monitoring the helicopter’s exact position and altitude. (nypost.com)
Airspace Congestion:
- The collision occurred in a particularly congested segment of DCA’s airspace, known for its complex navigation requirements. This complexity may have been a contributing factor to the incident. (people.com)
Recovery Efforts:
- As of January 31, 41 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River, with 28 positively identified. Recovery operations are ongoing, with efforts to retrieve remaining victims and aircraft debris continuing. (people.com)
The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks. A comprehensive final report, detailing the causes and contributing factors of the collision, is anticipated to take a year or more to complete. (people.com)