By Rich McKay and Joseph Ax
## DC Plane Crash: Helicopter Altitude Under Investigation After Soldier’s Name Released
**Washington, D.C. **- In the aftermath of the tragic helicopter-plane collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Army released the name of the third soldier killed in the crash, Captain Rebecca Lobach. Her death, along with 64 others, marked one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent history.
Initial identification delays caused by the Army’s unusual decision, requested by Lobach’s family, were resolved Saturday, with her loved ones finally granting permission to release her name. Lobach, 28, served as an aviation officer, dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault, and dreamed of becoming a doctor.
“She was a bright star in all our lives,” her family shared in a statement. “No one dreamed bigger or worked harder to achieve her goals.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the cause of the crash, revealing crucial information gathered from the flight data recorder (“black box”). Data shows the American Airlines CRJ700 passenger jet was flying at 325 feet, potentially placing the Army Black Hawk helicopter significantly higher, possibly exceeding the route’s maximum altitude of 200 feet.
While radar readings suggest the helicopter was closer to 200 feet, NTSB board member Todd Inman stressed the need to confirm these figures.
“That’s what our job is, to figure that out,” he stated.
Investigators also confirmed that:
* **Night-vision goggles were likely in use during the training flight.** It remains unclear if they were activated at the time of the accident.
* **The air traffic controller alerted the helicopter crew to the presence of the CRJ700 approximately two minutes prior to impact.**
* **One second before impact, the American Airlines cockpit crew reacted verbally, lifting the plane’s nose, indicating an attempt to avoid the collision.**
* **Audio recordings captured the automated “traffic, traffic, traffic” alert followed by sounds of the impact.**
Efforts to recover wreckage from the Potomac River, where both aircraft descended, commenced Saturday. 42 bodies have been recovered.
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