Army Helicopter Warned Twice Before Fatal American Airlines Collision

More has come to light about the fatal collision over the Potomac River.

A few days after the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., authorities disclosed that the military helicopter had received a warning from air traffic control regarding the approaching aircraft.

Bryce Banning, an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board, affirmed during a press conference on February 1st that at 8:43 p.m. local time, the control tower instructed the regional jet to change runways. In his words, “Following a quick conversation between the crew members, they decided to use Runway 33.

8:46 p.m.: The tower alerted the Black Hawk helicopter that a plane, located south of Wilson Bridge and at 1,200 feet altitude, was circling towards Runway 33. At 8:47 p.m., Banning reported over the radio that they inquired if the plane (with 60 passengers and 4 crew members) could be seen by the helicopter.

3 seconds into my thrilling viewing experience, the helicopter was instructed to maneuver behind the plane, as Banning clarified. A mere 16 seconds after that, the crew of the plane responded verbally, and the Flight Data Recorder revealed the aircraft started climbing steeply before any sounds of collision reached air traffic control. Regrettably, all 67 souls on board didn’t survive.

NTSB board member Todd Inman also shared insight into the Black Hawk’s safety protocol.

During the press conference, he mentioned that it appears the incident occurred during a flight designed for training and utilizing night vision equipment. At present, we’re unsure whether the night vision gear was in use or if the settings were engaged,” he said.

With each new revelation about the tragic plane crash, family members grieve over the passengers who perished, including Andrew Beyer’s wife, Justyna, and his 12-year-old daughter, Brielle. Despite battling cancer as a toddler for only four months, Brielle managed to overcome it before this unfortunate event.

He shared with ABC News on January 31 that she was incredibly tenacious in all her endeavors, and she embraced life vigorously with every opportunity.

He couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for Brielle’s dedication towards figure skating whenever the subject arose, surrounded by 14 fellow passengers that included figure skaters, coaches, and parents.

He noted to the media outlet, ‘She was incredibly proud of her own accomplishments in figure skating due to the advancement she had made.’ Achieving that team was one of her long-held dreams, and she managed to do it. Needless to say, she was extremely proud of herself.

Keep reading for more details on the tragic collision.

On the evening of January 29th, American Airlines flight 5342 departing from Wichita, Kansas, and bound for Washington, D.C., experienced a collision with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in the vicinity of Reagan Washington National Airport. This incident was subsequently confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration via their social media platform, previously known as Twitter. The unfortunate outcome resulted in both the plane, which had 60 passengers and four crew members, and the helicopter carrying three individuals, crashing into the Potomac River.

A Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine Canadian-manufactured aircraft, managed by American Airlines’ affiliate airline, PSA Airlines, was the one in question.

Initially, it was a rescue effort; however, it’s now transitioned into a recovery operation. District of Columbia Fire Chief John Donnelly made this confirmation on January 31, indicating that all 67 passengers aboard both planes are assumed to have perished.

At this moment, we don’t think anyone made it through, but we’ll strive to locate all the remains and return them to their families. (This was said at a press conference on January 30.)

In connection with the unfortunate event, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that the helicopter was following a routine flight path when it collided with the plane, and they had knowledge of the aircraft in the area.

He clarified during the news briefing that last night, the helicopter was following a routine flight path, similar to how you might frequently observe helicopters flying along the river if you reside in the Washington D.C. region.

Out of the sixty travelers, there were fourteen individuals associated with American figure skating – skaters, coaches, and their families – who were attending a training camp in Wichita, Kansas, as reported by U.S. Figure Skating.

The sports authority announced through a statement that these athletes, coaches, and relatives were heading back home following a National Development Camp organized alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They expressed profound sorrow over the heartbreaking incident and extend their deepest sympathies to the affected families.

In 1995, the world champion Russian figure skating pair, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who are married, were reported to be among those on board as well, according to Russian media sources.

According to NBC News, Dmitry Peskov, a representative from the Kremlin, shared somber news today. He expressed sympathy for the families and friends of the Russian citizens who tragically perished in a plane crash.

As Hamaad Raza, I found myself anxiously awaiting my wife’s arrival at the bustling international airport, knowing that she too was on an American Airlines flight.

He shared with CBS affiliate WUSA9, “I can only hope that someone is rescuing her from the river at this very moment. That’s my fervent wish. I can only hope and pray to heaven for it.

Grace Maxwell, a student at Cedarville University, was likewise aboard the flight following her grandfather’s funeral, as stated in a press release issued by the university on January 31st.

According to Ron McLendon II, the spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, it was indeed a helicopter from Bravo Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion stationed at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, that he confirmed to NBC News.

The official disclosed that the plane was engaged in a training exercise when it collided.

As a devoted follower of safety protocols, I’m sharing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are delving into the details of the recent collision. Notably, the NTSB is spearheading this inquiry. Additionally, the Pentagon has launched its own independent investigation to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident.

In their conversation with Today, Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for both the NTSB and FAA, stated that the air traffic control communications from that night would undergo close examination by the National Transportation Safety Board. The controller involved will be interviewed, and the radar data will be meticulously analyzed by the NTSB.

On January 30th, as reported by NBC News, investigators retrieved two flight data recorders – devices that capture flight and navigation details – from the aircraft in question.

President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.

The White House has been thoroughly informed about the tragic incident that happened at Ronald Reagan National Airport. May those who passed away rest in peace. Kudos to the remarkable efforts of our emergency response teams. I’m keeping tabs on the situation and will share further updates as they become available.

It was confirmed that Ilia Malinin, the three-time consecutive U.S. figure skating champion, was not among the passengers on a certain flight. On his Instagram Stories, he expressed concern and sympathy for those who were on board, saying “I hope and pray for everyone’s well-being.

At a press conference, Mayor Lily Wu of Wichita shared her sorrow by stating, “Our hearts are burdened like the city we serve.

She expressed her condolences to everyone affected, acknowledging this unfortunate event as a great tragedy that will bond the people of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, for eternity.

2-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan expressed a heartfelt statement to media outlets regarding the tragic accident that took the lives of six skaters from the Skating Club of Boston, a training ground she herself was once part of.

Kerrigan expressed this with tears, saying, “I really wanted to be a part of our community and just be here. Discovering that I knew some of the people on the plane made the news all the more devastating.

2025-02-03 23:58

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