Critical data that could piece together the final movements of a Black Hawk helicopter before it crashed with an American Eagle Bombardier CRJ-700 in Washington DC are contained within the submerged wreckage, according to the National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB).
On February 4, 2024, the NTSB confirmed that the US Army Black Hawk was at 300 feet (rounded to the nearest 100 feet) at the time of the collision but additional information to verify data points from the helicopter was needed.
To retrieve the vital information the NTSB needs to access the Black Hawk wreckage that still lies in the Potomac River but will need to wait until the aircraft is removed from the water later this week.
When the crash occurred on January 29, 2025, it is understood that on the flight path taken by the Black Hawk the aircraft was only permitted to fly up to a maximum altitude of 200 feet.
“NTSB has been provided updated information that shows the air traffic control tower display at DCA is fed by the Potomac TRACON. The TRACON fuses information from multiple radar sensors and ADS-B data, providing the best quality flight track data to air traffic control. This data showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision,” a spokesperson for the agency said.
In other developments, officials confirmed that remains of all 67 victims that perished in the crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) have been recovered while one deceased person has yet to be identified.
There were 60 passengers and four aircraft crew on board the American Eagle flight and three US Army soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter.
“Unified Command remains focused on clearing the remaining wreckage from the Potomac River. While all victims have been identified, salvage operations will continue with a strict commitment to the dignified recovery of any additional remains,” said a spokesperson for the agency.
Working with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), the NTSB continues to salvage parts from the Bombardier CRJ700 which was operated by PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines.
Parts that have been salvaged in the last 48 hours include the right wing, center fuselage, part of the left wing and left fuselage, significant portions of the forward cabin and cockpit, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, tail cone, rudder, elevators, TCAS computer and quick access recorder.
The recovered wreckage is being moved to a secure location for a layout examination.
“The aircraft systems group continued to review maintenance paperwork for the CRJ700 and the helicopter airworthiness group continued to review maintenance records for the Black Hawk. NTSB investigators continue to transcribe the cockpit voice recorders for both aircraft. Synchronization work for the Black Hawk flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is ongoing,” said the NTSB spokesperson.
