Air Traffic Controller Audio Captures Chilling Moments Before Fatal Helicopter and Plane Collision
Audio recordings obtained by CNN of air traffic control conversations capture the harrowing moments leading up to the fatal collision between a helicopter and a commercial plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 15.
As the helicopter is asked by air traffic controllers if it has spotted the commercial flight operated by PSA Airlines in sight, the controller instructs: “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?” The pilot’s response, “PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation,” is followed by a chilling moment of silence, as audible gasps and a loud “oooh” can be heard in the background, signaling the devastating impact of the crash.
Following the collision, air traffic controllers issued warnings to other pilots, alerting them to the incident and advising them to divert to other airports as flights at DCA were halted. One pilot described seeing “flares from the opposite side of the Potomac,” while another reported that both aircraft are in the river, prompting a search and rescue operation.
The incident was met with swift action, as nearby aircraft made plans to divert to other airports and operations at DCA were shut down for the indefinite future.
