ARLINGTON, Va. — Early findings from the most lethal aviation incident in the U.S. in almost 25 years revealed contradictory altitude data concerning an airliner and an Army helicopter that collided near Reagan National Airport in Washington, resulting in the deaths of all those onboard both aircraft, investigators reported on Saturday.
According to the investigators, the flight data recorder from the jet indicated a change in its pitch roughly one second before the collision occurred. However, it remains unclear whether this change signified an attempt by the pilots to maneuver away from the impending crash.
The jet’s flight recorder captured an altitude reading of 325 feet (approximately 99 meters), with a possible variance of 25 feet (7.6 meters) at the time of the crash on Wednesday night, as stated by officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In contrast, data from the control tower placed the Army Black Hawk helicopter at 200 feet (61 meters) at that moment. The discrepancy of about 100 feet (30 meters) still needs clarification.
Investigators aim to resolve the differences in altitude readings by analyzing information from the helicopter’s black box, which has been difficult to retrieve due to water damage after it fell into the Potomac River. They also plan to refine information from the tower, noting that air traffic control data can be less reliable.
NTSB member Todd Inman expressed the agency’s dedication to elucidating these discrepancies amid a heightened sense of urgency during a Saturday evening press briefing. He acknowledged debates within the investigative team regarding the timing of information release, as they weigh the importance of transparency against waiting for additional data.
Officials confirmed that the helicopter’s operational ceiling was 200 feet (61 meters) at the time of the incident. All individuals aboard the aircraft perished, including 64 passengers on an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, which was nearing landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The Army Black Hawk, which apparently crossed paths with the jet, had three crew members.
