The collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter stands as one of the most devastating air disasters in recent US history. Tragically, all passengers and crew aboard both aircraft are presumed to have lost their lives.
The American Airlines flight had 64 people on board, while the Black Hawk was carrying three military personnel at the time of the accident.
According to Daily Mail, the National Transportation Safety Board has disclosed that data from the flight recorder and black box of the DC aircraft may provide crucial insights into the cause of the crash, particularly through altitude readings.
Reports indicate that American Airlines Flight 5342 was flying at approximately 325 feet, with a 25-foot margin of error in either direction. Meanwhile, control tower data shows that the Black Hawk was at an altitude of about 200 feet.
Experts have not yet provided an explanation for the roughly 100-foot discrepancy in altitude readings. However, if the crash occurred at the reported altitude, it would have taken place higher than the maximum safe operating height for helicopters in that region.
Currently, investigators are working to recover data from the helicopter’s black box, which was damaged by water after sinking into the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
Ideally, this data will help clarify the inconsistencies in altitude measurements.
Discussing the ongoing investigation, Brice Banning, the lead NTSB investigator, stated, “This is a complex investigation. There are a lot of pieces here. Our team is working hard to gather this data.”
He went on to reveal that data from the jet’s black boxes captured the crew’s verbal reaction just before the incident. As the aircraft’s pitch began to increase, “sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording,” Banning noted.
President Trump also weighed in on the crash, attributing the collision to the helicopter’s altitude. He claimed that it was flying “too high” and “far above its 200-foot limit.” Emphasizing his point, he added, “That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???”