Search efforts for debris following a tragic collision between a passenger airplane and an Army helicopter near Washington have been ongoing, with crews utilizing a specially equipped plane featuring laser technology to survey the Potomac River’s depths early on Saturday, as stated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Earlier this week, significant portions of both the aircraft and helicopter were recovered, along with the remains of all 67 individuals who lost their lives in the incident. In the upcoming days, teams will focus on locating smaller debris pieces, with plans to complete this aspect of the recovery effort in approximately one week’s time.
An aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, outfitted with laser scanning capabilities, conducted low-altitude flights over the scene of the accident. The purpose of the laser technology is to penetrate the water’s surface and generate a detailed map of the riverbed.
According to a statement released by the NTSB on Saturday afternoon, “All major pieces” of the involved aircraft have been located, and investigators will scrutinize them for any identifying marks that could help determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The NTSB noted that the information gathered will contribute to the ongoing investigation regarding the incident from January 29, where the Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight over Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, there were no survivors from the accident.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump attributed the collision to what he described as an “obsolete” air traffic control computer system and expressed intentions to replace it.
During a briefing to Congress, NTSB officials revealed that the helicopter’s advanced surveillance technology, which is designed to communicate the aircraft’s location and vital data to air traffic control and nearby planes, was disabled at the time of the crash, as reported by Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Thursday.
Investigators are also examining the altitude of both the airplane and helicopter, particularly assessing whether the helicopter was operating above its designated flight ceiling of 200 feet (61 meters). A thorough examination of the wreckage of the Black Hawk helicopter is essential to gather more accurate data.
This collision marks the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since November 12, 2001, when a jetliner crashed into a neighborhood in New York City shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 260 passengers aboard and an additional five individuals on the ground.
