US Imposes Helicopter Flight Restrictions After Washington Crash; Black Boxes Recovered

US Imposes Helicopter Flight Restrictions After Washington Crash; Black Boxes Recovered

Summary

• Black boxes recovered from both the plane and helicopter
• Investigators question air traffic controllers
• Deadliest US air disaster in 20 years
• Trump claims helicopter was flying too high

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – U.S. authorities have imposed restrictions on helicopter flights near Reagan Washington National Airport following a midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter that resulted in 67 deaths earlier this week.

On Friday, investigators recovered the helicopter's black box, which records flight data and cockpit conversations, as confirmed by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman during a briefing. This, along with the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the CRJ700 airplane, will help authorities piece together the events leading up to the collision on Wednesday night, which ended with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River in Washington, marking the deadliest U.S. air disaster in two decades.

Inman also stated that interviews with air traffic controllers had been conducted, including with the lone controller in Reagan's tower during the crash. However, no official cause has been identified, and the NTSB is refraining from speculation until their investigation is complete.

"The NTSB is an independent, bipartisan board – 58 years as the gold standard," Inman emphasized. "Our job is to find the facts and ensure this tragedy doesn't happen again, regardless of external comments."

Meanwhile, a separate incident occurred on Friday evening when a medevac plane crashed near a shopping mall in Philadelphia with six people onboard, including a child. The air ambulance company has not confirmed any survivors.

Following the Washington collision, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed strict restrictions on helicopter flights near Reagan Airport to prevent another disaster. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that only police, medical, air defense, and presidential helicopters are permitted to operate in the restricted airspace. These restrictions will remain in effect until the NTSB releases a preliminary report, typically within 30 days.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated that the airline would collaborate with the government to improve aviation safety. As of now, 41 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, and recovery efforts will intensify on Sunday, with the process expected to take all week. Washington D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that 28 victims have been positively identified and that all bodies are expected to be recovered.

The crash occurred when an American Airlines jet attempting to land collided with a Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 60 passengers and four crew members aboard. Authorities have since identified two of the three service members on the helicopter.

Safety Concerns Raised

The tragic incident has sparked concerns about air safety and the staffing shortages at the congested Reagan Airport, which serves as a hub for both commercial and military traffic. The FAA is currently 3,000 controllers short of its staffing targets, and one air traffic controller, rather than two, was handling traffic during the crash—a situation considered abnormal but deemed acceptable for lower traffic volumes.

Airspace around the Washington D.C. area is especially crowded, as it is home to three commercial airports, multiple military bases, and government officials who often travel by helicopter.

Over a three-year period ending in 2019, an average of 80 helicopter flights per day operated within a 30-mile radius of Reagan Airport, mostly for military or law enforcement purposes. Authorities are also scrutinizing the helicopter's flight path. The military claimed the helicopter was flying too high—around 300 feet, above the maximum altitude of 200 feet for that route, according to flight tracking data.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the incident, claiming that the Black Hawk helicopter was flying too high, a point he made in a Truth Social post.

Senator Maria Cantwell raised concerns about the safety of military and commercial aircraft flying as close as 350 feet from each other, both vertically and horizontally. Radio communications showed that air traffic controllers had alerted the helicopter about the approaching jet and ordered it to change course.

The pilot of the American Eagle Flight 5342, which was operated by PSA Airlines, had six years of flying experience. Two of Reagan National Airport's three runways are expected to remain closed for at least a week, but the main runway, which handles 90% of flights, will remain open.

The crash victims included people from Russia, China, Germany, the Philippines, and young figure skaters who were returning from a national training camp in Kansas.

Tags;

demure,
demure trend,
very demure trend,
give me my money trend,
just give me my money trend,
what is demure trend,
what is the demure trend,
demure meaning,
demure trend meaning,
bta trend,
i love your daughter trend,
gimme my money trend,
nice try diddy trend,
legging legs trend,
hey brother trend,
who started the demure trend,
what is the very demure trend,
where did the demure trend come from,