(AURN News) — In a significant development concerning last month’s devastating aviation disaster, federal investigators revealed this week that a military helicopter was operating well above the maximum altitude recommended when it collided with a commercial airliner landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in 67 people losing their lives.
According to National Transportation Safety Board officials, preliminary air traffic control data from DCA indicates the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying at an altitude of 300 feet when it struck American Airlines Flight 5342 on January 30. This height was substantially above the maximum permitted altitude of 200 feet established for helicopters operating in that airspace.
The catastrophic collision occurred between the American Airlines passenger jet which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and the military helicopter conducting routine training exercises from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crash claimed the lives of all 64 individuals aboard the commercial aircraft, including 60 passengers and four crew members, along with three U.S. Army personnel in the helicopter.
As part of their ongoing investigation, NTSB teams have been systematically recovering wreckage from the accident site. Key components of the CRJ 700 commercial jet, including its right wing and substantial portions of the cockpit, have already been retrieved. Investigators are also focused on recovering the Black Hawk helicopter’s wreckage from the Potomac River, which they expect to accomplish this week.
The investigation continues as families and communities across the country mourn what stands as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent U.S. history.
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