Deadly Crash at Reagan Airport: NTSB Reveals Alarming Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board is still looking for answers.

Almost two months since I was involved in a tragic incident where American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk Helicopter during its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the NTSB is still diligently working on uncovering the details of this occurrence.

At a press conference held on March 11th, the chair of the safety board, Jennifer Homendy, stated that the flight patterns of military helicopters near the airport currently present an “unacceptably high risk” for commercial aircraft. This is due to the fact that there is only a clearance of exactly 75 feet between some descending airplanes and the flight paths of these helicopters. Consequently, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is advising the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to indefinitely prohibit helicopter flights within that section of the airport.

It’s worth noting that Homendy explained that out of approximately 944,179 flights at the Washington D.C. airport, there were 15,214 instances where planes came close to each other, with a horizontal distance less than one nautical mile and a vertical difference of under 400 feet. Moreover, 85 incidents occurred where the horizontal separation was less than 1500 feet and the vertical gap was around 200 feet.

Homendy stated, “Clearly, there were signs pointing towards a possible collision. It’s unfortunate that such drastic measures as immediate action might be needed, but not even a tragic event should be required for this.

She added of the American Airlines crash, “It’s stronger than an oversight.”

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as they informed NBC News on January 30th, it might take up to a year to thoroughly examine certain evidence from the flight, such as voice and data recorders from the American Airlines plane’s cockpit.

News regarding the January 29th air collision arrives at a time when those affected by the tragedy – passengers on the American Airlines flight destined for Washington D.C. from Wichita, Kansas, and the helicopter – are mourning their losses. The collision resulted in the death of all 67 individuals aboard both aircrafts, with 28 being elite figure skaters who were returning home following a training camp in Kansas.

On January 30th, during a press conference, President Donald Trump expressed sorrow, stating that the night in our country’s capital and its history was both grim and devastating, a calamity of immense scale. He lamented the loss of every cherished life that had been taken away so abruptly.

In the meantime, the American Figure Skating Association, who posted a touching tribute video on February 5 for the crash victims, also expressed their deep sadness, saying, “We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected.

Since the airplane accident, those close to the passengers have shared their grief about the tragic event. More recently, NPR host Adrian Ma spoke candidly about the loss of his girlfriend, Kiah Duggins, who was poised to start teaching at Howard University School of Law shortly after the incident took place.

Adrian mentioned to NPR that Kiah’s presence is still evident all around him. Her glasses sit on the nightstand, her clothes hang in the closet, and stray strands of her hair are found throughout the place. Occasionally, he hears what sounds like Kiah’s voice, particularly when he encounters something interesting and feels the urge to share it with her by saying, ‘Hey, look at this,’ but then remembers that he can no longer do so.

As he put it, “It’s just been a new level of pain that I didn’t know I could experience.”

For more details on the American Airlines tragedy, keep reading…

On January 29th evening, American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C., had an unfortunate incident. It collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter close to the Reagan Washington National Airport, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration via their Twitter account (previously known as X). The plane, with 60 passengers and 4 crew members, and the helicopter carrying 3 people, both plunged into the Potomac River.

The flight in question was a Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine aircraft, which is manufactured in Canada, being flown by PSA Airlines, an affiliate of American Airlines.

Initially planned as a rescue effort, it eventually turned into a recovery operation, as we sadly confirmed the deaths of all 67 passengers on board both planes.

Officials in Washington, D.C. expressed their heartfelt sympathy for the families affected by the tragedy, saying they are praying for them as they go through this tough period. They also pledged to stand by them, offering their full support during these challenging times.

According to the latest statement from the National Transportation Safety Board, who are currently handling the investigation, initial data from air traffic control indicates that the helicopter seemed to exceed the permitted 200-foot altitude for its designated flight path.

According to an update from the NTSB on February 4th, the data indicates that the Black Hawk was approximately 300 feet above ground level at the moment of the collision, with the measurement being rounded to the nearest hundred feet.

Out of the 60 individuals, there were 28 people associated with American figure skating – this group included skaters, coaches, and their relatives, as reported by U.S. Figure Skating. They had been attending a camp in Wichita, Kansas.

The organizers announced that these athletes, coaches, and family members were coming back from a joint National Development Camp with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. They are deeply saddened by this unimaginable tragedy and keep the families of the victims in their thoughts.

In 1995, the world champion Russian figure skating duo, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov (who got married that year), were reportedly part of the team, as confirmed by the sports administration.

Hamaad Raza, who had his spouse on an American Airlines flight, was expecting her at the international terminal.

He expressed his heartfelt hope to the WUSA9 affiliate, saying, “I’m fervently hoping that someone is rescuing her from the river at this moment,” adding, “This is my only wish. All I can do is pray, asking God for help.

Kiah Duggins, who is soon to be a professor at Howard University School of Law, was additionally a traveler on the plane. The university announced that the civil rights lawyer, who obtained her J.D. from Harvard Law School, will be joining Howard’s faculty in the fall.

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

During the moment of impact, it was revealed that the plane was engaged in a training exercise.

The individuals aboard were recognized as Captain Rebecca Lobach (age 28), Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves (age 39), and Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara (also 28).

1. Multiple agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board, are conducting an investigation into the accident. Notably, the National Transportation Safety Board is spearheading this inquiry. Additionally, the Pentagon has launched its own independent probe.

2. Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Army, and National Transportation Safety Board are working together to uncover the causes of the collision. Among these organizations, it’s the National Transportation Safety Board that is leading the investigation. The Pentagon has also joined in with its own investigation.

3. In response to the accident, a joint investigation by the FAA, U.S. Army, and National Transportation Safety Board is underway. While each agency will contribute to the process, it’s the National Transportation Safety Board that is overseeing the inquiry. Simultaneously, the Pentagon has initiated its own separate probe.

4. The FAA, U.S. Army, and National Transportation Safety Board are all involved in the investigation of the collision, with the National Transportation Safety Board taking charge. Furthermore, the Pentagon has embarked on a parallel examination.

5. The collision is being investigated by the FAA, U.S. Army, and National Transportation Safety Board, with the NTSB playing the principal role. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is also carrying out its own investigation.

In his interview with Today, Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for both the NTSB and FAA, mentioned that the air traffic control communications from that night are expected to undergo thorough examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The controller involved will be questioned, and the radar data will be meticulously analyzed by the NTSB.

As of February 4th, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are still transcribing the cockpit voice recorders for both planes, as stated in their latest update. Simultaneously, the NTSB, along with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, continue their efforts to retrieve the wreckage from the Potomac River.

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

The White House has been thoroughly informed about the unfortunate incident that happened at Reagan National Airport. May those who have passed away rest in peace. Kudos to our emergency responders for their remarkable efforts. I’m keeping a close eye on the situation and will share further updates as they become available.

It was confirmed that Ilia Malinin, the three-time U.S. men’s figure skating champion, was not on the flight in question. Expressing concern for those who were aboard, he posted on his Instagram Stories, “I hope and pray for everyone’s safety and wellbeing on that flight.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu similarly conveyed her sorrow, stating at a press gathering, “Our hearts are burdened like the city we serve.

She expressed her sympathy for everyone affected, saying, “This unfortunate event has touched us deeply, and it’s something that will bond the people of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, in shared grief forevermore.

2-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan expressed a heartfelt statement to media outlets following the tragic accident that took the lives of six skaters from the Boston-based Skating Club, where she too was previously a trainee.

Kerrigan expressed his feelings, choking back tears, saying, “I simply wanted to be among us, a member of our community.” He added that discovering some of the passengers on the plane made the news even more devastating for him.

2025-03-11 21:47

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