DOT Update on Fatal Collision at Reagan National

DALLAS — The Department of Transportation (DOT) held a briefing this morning on the tragic mid-air collision between American Airlines (AA) regional flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines (OH), and a Sikorsky H-60 Back Hawk (1974) military helicopter, which occurred around 9 p.m. last night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The incident has resulted in 30 confirmed fatalities, with no survivors expected.

This is the first fatal crash involving a U.S. airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed during landing near Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), killing all 49 people on board.

According to the Department of Transportation, the 20-year-old OH Bombardier CRJ70, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was on final approach to runway 33 at DCA when it collided with the helicopter at about 9:00 p.m. local time.

According to a DCA control tower communications transcript, the ATC controller asked the helicopter if they had the CRJ in sight. He heard no response, but subsequently told the helicopter to pass behind the CRJ. That was the last heard before impact.

Transportation Secretary Deffy confirmed that both aircraft were following standard flight patterns at the time of the incident. Although communication between the control tower and both aircraft was described as “normal,” and the helicopter knew of the presence of the airliner, it is unclear whether the airliner crew knew of the helicopter's presence.

According to American Airlines' CEO, the CRJ700 crew consisted of a captain with nearly six years of airline experience and a first officer with approximately two years of service. The experience level of the military helicopter crew was not disclosed.

The first rescuers, about 300, faced difficult conditions, including ice on the water, during their initial rescue efforts, which have since transitioned to a recovery operation.

The debris field extends about a mile along the waterfront, widened by overnight winds. Despite the extent of the crash area, authorities have determined that it is safe to resume airport operations at DCA at 11 a.m. local time, with individual airlines making their own decisions on whether to resume flights.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Secretary Deffy, echoing the President's statement, suggested that the incident could have been avoided.

The collision has led senators to raise questions about airspace congestion, especially in light of recent approvals of additional long-haul routes from DCA.

The White House has confirmed 30 fatalities, while DCA officials report 27, accounting only for those taken to the medical examiner. Further updates are expected during an NTSB briefing to be held today.

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