DCA - American Airlines passenger plane collides with Blackhawk over the Potomac River, all 67 on both dead, 29 Jan 2025

[acutename]

I hope so.

does anyone know where the black box recorder on the heli is located? I have wondered if the third heli flight crew member is not really recoverable- maybe a lot of damage at the impact point? I also thought news reports said they found the black boxes but maybe inaccurate DC plane crash black boxes found as staff shortage claims examined

Live updates: Concerns about DCA air traffic safety grow as region mourns crash victims

Recovery operations are underway after an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

www.nbcwashington.com

 

[Herat]

Data from FlightRadar24, which tracks and records aircraft data for most flights across the U.S., showed the helicopter's last estimated altitude was about 400 feet when it crashed. The jet's altitude was about 375 to 400 feet, according to data from FlightAware and FlightRadar24.

Experts ask why Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying above allowed altitude before crash

This data point is one of several key mysteries investigators are exploring as they seek to explain what caused the nation's worst air disaster in more than a decade, aviation experts said.

www.cbsnews.com

A near midair collision between an airplane and a helicopter in July 2015 occurred 400 feet off the ground on approach to the same runway being used in Wednesday's crash – Runway 33 — according to a CBS News Data Team review of anonymous reports to NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System.

Two years earlier, in May of 2013, a pilot reported problems with a helicopter while circling to land on Runway 33. That is a shorter runway intended for smaller aircraft, like American Airlines 5342. Pilots who land there told CBS News they want to be at the "floor," or lowest altitude during their approach because they need to hit the beginning of the runway to have maximum distance to stop.

I watch FlightRadar24 a lot and I find the information near approaches tends to be slow to post and sometimes seems slow or incorrect.

Plus FlightRadar24 may not be able to pick up some military operation transmissions.

I would want to see the actual data from the flight recorders for confirmation on this.

 

[SMK777]

It seems something went wrong that wasn't realized by any of the three people on the helicopter, despite their combined training and experience. That is a tough pill to swallow. A tough reality to understand.

It doesn't make any sense. I probably shouldn't say anything further...

 

[Elley Mae]

I watch FlightRadar24 a lot and I find the information near approaches tends to be slow to post and sometimes seems slow or incorrect.

Plus FlightRadar24 may not be able to pick up some military operation transmissions.

I would want to see the actual data from the flight recorders for confirmation on this.

My guess is because they know the altitude of the plane and the helicopter hitting the plane they know it was above 200 feet.

Jmo

 

[acutename]

The fact there is an approved procedure to have the Helicopters cross the Potomac River, into commercial airspace, is baffling to me.. Perhaps it is normal to veterans of this industry but I find what he said to be stunning.

they keep saying that they use the blackhawks, at times, to ferry dignitaries, govt officials, etc.

 

[Leilei]

Thankfully both aircraft landed in the river after the collision. Can't imagine what would have happened had the aircraft landed on top of buildings.

That happened back when I was a kid in San Diego - PSA 182. My mom was at work downtown and heard the collision. It took a long time to recover all of the victims.

 

[ilovewings]

From what I have been reading, it seems that there were lots of misses over the years but no crash until now- so it was business as usual. What will happen now, as happens when such a tragedy occurs, changes will be made to prevent anything like this from happening in the future.

 

[acutename]

I have permission to post this one time YouTube video explaining what likely happened. I hope others find it to be as clarifying as I did. The comments are equally interesting.

Edit: He has an updated video on 1/30. I don't have permission to post that one but it is easily found in his videos.

FWIW it is one of the male pilots (I think) who tells the tower he sees the AA plane

 

[Seattle1]

Multiple difficulties surrounded Reagan National Airport before crash - Washington Examiner

The crash near Reagan National Airport has renewed questions about the airport's flight load, considering its small size, among other issues.

www.washingtonexaminer.com

​

1/30/25​

Busy airport despite its size​

Reagan Airport opened in 1941, and its incredibly close proximity to Washington, D.C., has made it a popular way of flying to the nation’s capital, despite its small size. The airport has restrictions on the distance that flights may travel, with some exceptions for select flights beyond the perimeter.

Crowded, limited airspace​

Due to the importance and high concentration of critical functions to the country in Washington, D.C., there is a flight-restricted zone roughly 15 nautical miles around Reagan Airport. The FRZ restricts flights in the airspace to government planes, regularly scheduled flights in and out of DCA, and flights which have received a waiver under conditions outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration.

With the various flight restrictions in place, including no-fly zones over the National Mall, the White House, and the Vice President’s residence, there is limited flight space for the airlines and military aircraft coming from the various military bases around the capital.

Much of the airspace shared by military aircraft and civilian airliners comes on the Potomac River, which has DCA and multiple bases near its banks. Planes landing at Reagan Airport must follow closely specific landing and takeoff routes. The aircraft involved in Wednesday’s crash were both in standard flight patterns, according to officials.
_________________

IMO, instead of expanding no fly zones at Reagan Airport (DCA) following 911, I think they missed the mark by not taking the opportunity more than 20 years ago to transfer DCA to the government for their exclusive use, and close this airport to commercial traffic, period.

Yes, it's a fact that ground traffic to the Baltimore and Dulles airports is an inconvenient nightmare but they should have tunneled a fast train from the grounds of DCA to Dulles Airport decades ago!

No doubt "The Boring Company" would give breaking ground for this project priority-- as long as this route stays out of the hands of Metro!

So after its first deadly plane crash in more than four decades, and several of the airport’s difficulties are under scrutiny, let's hope and pray the politicos don't miss yet another opportunity to finally put safety first for all. MOO

 

[ilovewings]

FWIW it is one of the male pilots (I think) who tells the tower he sees the AA plane

Thanks for posting that - lots of information

 

[MassGuy]

The family of the second pilot on the Black Hawk helicopter has asked the Pentagon to not release their name at this time

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885426193186373798

 

[Warwick1991]

The family of the second pilot on the Black Hawk helicopter has asked the Pentagon to not release their name at this time

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885426193186373798

There may be specific reasons for the delay, such as a parent or sibling in the hospital. It is unusual. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5281246/pentagon-jet-military-helicopter-collision

 

[Charlot123]

It is a stunning video, isn’t it? At least from this angle the heli appears to aim for the plane. That said, I know from watching football that viewing angles can matter, so maybe it wasn’t as much of a dip to aim as it looks? IDK. Don’t the helicopters have near impact alert systems? Heck, my cheap car flashes an icon when I leave the driving lane for a second. It makes no sense.

jmo

Near impact might be too late for the helicopters, but not sure.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Glad for this, but maybe they should shut it down until the investigation is complete. DCA's runway 33 shut down until February 7 following deadly plane crash: FAA

 

[Elley Mae]

The family of the second pilot on the Black Hawk helicopter has asked the Pentagon to not release their name at this time

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885426193186373798

That’s odd, someone from the base will, I hope.

Jmo

 

[vls12345]

Former instructor of crew chief killed on Black Hawk in D.C. crash speaks

Ryan O'Hara was a 2014 graduate of Parkview High School in Gwinnett County

www.11alive.com

 

[Charlot123]

New: Flight tracking data from the moments before the fatal midair collision on Wednesday night appear to show the Black Hawk helicopter flying 100 feet above the maximum allowed altitude and veering off the prescribed route along the east side of the Potomac River. The helicopter’s turns would have put the Black Hawk closer to Reagan National Airport than the standard route as the American Airlines regional jet was nearing the airport.
@OrenCNN
reporting

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885408346510966988

Another question to ask is crew resource management of the helicopter. I know that poor CRM has been cited as the reason for a few accidents (the last one I read about was in Nepal). Alternatively, in “the impossible landing case”, United Airlines Flight 232, excellent CRM is always cited as one of the reasons that landing worked.

Maybe something here as well? Not pointing fingers, discussing options.

 

[vls12345]

What can the 'black box' tell us about plane crashes?

The so-called “black box” is one of the most important pieces of forensic evidence following a plane crash.

www.11alive.com

 

[Ssschu]

That’s odd, someone from the base will, I hope.

Jmo

The family would probably prefer to keep it a secret forever.

 

[Herat]

they keep saying that they use the blackhawks, at times, to ferry dignitaries, govt officials, etc.

So the vanity and comfort of diginitaires and government officals comes before the absolute safety of the public, the flight crew and cabin crew professionals and the dignity and honor of the ATC personnel?

I'd say the priorites are all wrong