NTSB to Release New Data on Fatal Potomac Plane & Helicopter Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to release new data today regarding the investigation into last week’s tragic collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The accident resulted in the loss of 67 lives.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the board has access to “much more granular data from Potomac Tracon”, a Federal Aviation Administration terminal radar approach facility in Virginia. This enhanced data is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Recovery Efforts Underway
Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers commenced the recovery operation of the wreckage from the Potomac River today. Officials anticipate the process to take a week or longer. The recovered pieces are being transported to a hangar at Washington Reagan National Airport. A portion of the Potomac River remains restricted to authorized vessels.
Two lesser-used runways at the airport are currently closed.
Expanding the Investigation
The NTSB also indicated its intention to investigate prior near-miss incidents involving helicopters and airplanes around Washington Reagan National Airport. The investigation may be expanded to encompass other areas where military helicopter and air traffic intersect.
“We’re going to have to understand what are standard operating procedures for a helicopter training mission,” noted Ms. Homendy.
New Details Emerge
On Saturday, NTSB investigators revealed that the CRJ-700 airplane was at 99 meters, plus or minus 8 meters, at the moment of impact.
This finding suggests that the Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying above 61 meters, the maximum permitted altitude for its designated route.
Ms. Homendy explained that this data was obtained from DC radar, which updates every five seconds, acknowledging the rapid changes in altitude when a helicopter is traveling at speed.
Identifications and Victim Remembrance
Data has confirmed that the air traffic controller alerted the helicopter to the presence of the CRJ-700 approximately two minutes before the collision. The Washington DC fire department announced yesterday that officials have positively identified 55 of the 67 individuals who perished in the accident.
Yesterday, relatives of some of the victims paid their respects at the crash site along the Potomac River.
For more updates on this ongoing investigation, please visit the official National Transportation Safety Board website.