- Title: Data shows helicopter in DC air crash may have been too high - NTSB
- Date: 2nd February 2025
- Summary: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 01, 2025) (REUTERS) NTSB (NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) OFFICIALS WALKING TO PODIUM WIDE OF PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB (NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) MEMBER, TODD INMAN, SAYING: “We will find out what happened, and we will do everything we can to prevent it, but I don't want anyone to think because we are working two accidents, this is not what this is what we do week in and week out. Just today, a lot more people were paying attention to it.” WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB SAFETY INVESTIGATOR, BRICE BANNING, SAYING: “Both the CVR and the FDR were downloaded successfully. The FDR contains about 400 parameters and is currently being analyzed by a FDR working group consisting of the NTSB, FAA and PSA.” WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB SAFETY INVESTIGATOR, BRICE BANNING, SAYING: “At 8:47:39, a radio transmission from the tower was audible, asking PAT 25, if the CRJ was in sight. One second later, the crew received an automatic, automated traffic advisory stating ‘traffic, traffic’. At eight 8:47:42 A radio transmission from the tower was audible, directing PAT 25 to pass behind the CRJ. At 8:47:58 the crew had a verbal reaction and FDR data showed the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.” NTSB SEAL ON PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB SAFETY INVESTIGATOR, BRICE BANNING, SAYING: “As previously stated, we know that the FDR and data provided indicated that to see CRJ was at 325 feet plus or minus 25 feet. We also, initial preliminary data right now indicates that on the tower’s radar scope that was available to the controller, initial data indicates that that would, indicates that he may have seen 200ft. That needs to be verified. Our ATC group is working it. We will have more data available. But those are the initial indications.” NTSB CAMERAPERSON FILMING PRESSER (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB SAFETY INVESTIGATOR, BRICE BANNING, SAYING: “The PAT 25 was within the lateral boundaries of the helicopter route. The ceiling of that route was 200ft. As member Inman said, we do, have not got the data out of the FDR for the Black Hawk at this time, but that's what we know.” WIDE OF INMAN SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB (NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) MEMBER, TODD INMAN, SAYING: “We can verify it (The Black Hawk) was on a training flight that would utilize night vision goggles. We do not know at this time if the night vision goggles were actively being worn, nor what the setting may be. Further investigation should be able to let us know if that occurred and what it may, factor it may play in the overall accident.” WIDE OF INMAN SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB (NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) MEMBER, TODD INMAN, SAYING: “At the time of the accident, there were five controllers in the air traffic control tower cab at DCA. One was a local controller, which was handling not only helicopter but fixed wing aircraft. Another, and the local controller also would be handling arrivals and departures, closing airspace and the use of the runway. There was a ground controller which was handling all aircraft and vehicles not on the runway. In addition, there was a local assist controller.” INMAN SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) NTSB (NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD) MEMBER, TODD INMAN, SAYING: “They were coming in on runway one. As they were on approach the air traffic controller said, ‘Can you accept Runway 33?’ That is not an uncommon occurrence at DCA. It creates an arcing of the flight path. So it's very, it's very normal. Pilots were actually able to discuss it. They accepted it. They appeared to be on a proper, at least lineup at that time. So right now, we're evaluated with all of the facts and data. But it's it is what it is at this point, I guess.” WIDE OF PRESS CONFERENCE OFFICIALS EXITING
- Embargoed: 16th February 2025 01:04
- Keywords: American Airlines Black Hawk helicopter NTSB Trump flight recorder plane crash
- Location: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
- City: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: Air Accidents,Disaster/Accidents,North America
- Reuters ID: LVA001806701022025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PART AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have determined the CRJ700 airplane was at 325 feet (91 meters), plus or minus 25 feet, at the time of impact, officials said at a Saturday (February 01) evening news briefing.
The information was based on data recovered from the jet's flight data recorder - the "black box" that tracks the aircraft's movements, speed and other parameters.
The new detail suggests the Army helicopter was flying above 200 feet (61 meters), the maximum altitude for the route it was using.
Preliminary data indicates the control tower's radar showed the helicopter at 200 feet at the time of the accident, though officials said the information has not been confirmed.
"That's what our job is, to figure that out," NTSB board member Todd Inman told reporters when asked what could explain the discrepancy.
Inman also said at Saturday's briefing that the helicopter's training flight would typically include the use of night-vision goggles.
Data confirms that the air traffic controller alerted the helicopter to the presence of the CRJ700 about two minutes before the crash.
One second before impact, the crew aboard the American flight had a "verbal reaction," according to the plane's cockpit voice recorder, and flight data shows the plane's nose began to rise, officials said.
The official said an automated radio transmission alerted "traffic, traffic, traffic," was heard on the voice recorder and then sounds of the collision were heard before the recording ends.
(Production: Ashraf Fahim; Jayla Whitfield-Anderson) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None