American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in a deadly crash over the Potomac River on Wednesday night, killing all 64 people on board. The crash is the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but the National Transportation Safety Board is gathering evidence, including the flight recorders from the helicopter and the plane, as well as interviews with air traffic controllers. The FAA is also restricting helicopter traffic around the airport until the investigation is complete.
The crash occurred when the plane was on final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s Runway 33 at around 9pm ET. The plane was flying at around 300 feet when it collided with the helicopter, which was on an annual proficiency training flight.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the helicopter was flying too high, contrary to FAA regulations, which state that helicopters must fly at a maximum of 200 feet in the area around the airport.
The crash is a devastating blow to air safety, which has been considered one of the safest forms of transportation in the country. The last fatal commercial air crash in the U.S. was in 2009.
The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear what caused the helicopter to be flying at such a high altitude. The FAA has said that it will take its time to gather and verify information before making any conclusions.
The crash has also raised concerns about staffing at airports, particularly in terms of air traffic controllers. A preliminary FAA safety report has raised questions about the staffing levels at Reagan National Airport on the night of the crash, with one controller reportedly being allowed to leave early.
The crash has also seen responses from high-profile figures, including President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social that the helicopter was flying too high. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also made similar comments, saying that the helicopter had made an “elevation issue” that was being investigated.
