Potomac River Crash: Divers Resume Search Amid Investigation

Potomac River Crash: Divers Resume Search Amid Investigation/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Divers are returning to the Potomac River as recovery efforts continue following the midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which claimed 67 lives. Investigators have recovered the plane’s black boxes but are still searching for the helicopter’s flight recorder. Authorities are examining air traffic control decisions, the helicopter’s altitude, and other potential factors. The FAA report reveals that a single controller was managing both air and helicopter traffic at the time, raising concerns about staffing levels. As the investigation unfolds, families of the victims await answers in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.

Potomac River Crash Investigation: Quick Looks

• Divers are returning to the Potomac River for recovery and evidence collection.
• 67 people lost their lives in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.
• Black boxes from the plane recovered, but the helicopter’s remains missing.
• Investigators are examining air traffic control decisions and pilot actions.
• The airspace near Reagan National Airport is highly complex due to military and commercial flights.

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Potomac River Crash: Divers Resume Search Amid Investigation

Potomac River Crash Investigation: A Deep Look

Search and Recovery Efforts Continue

Divers are set to return to the Potomac River on Friday as part of an ongoing effort to recover victims and crucial evidence from the devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C. The crash, which claimed 67 lives, is now the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in nearly 25 years.

Investigators have already recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the American Airlines jet, which was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. However, the helicopter’s black box remains missing, and search teams continue to scour the river for wreckage and human remains.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Hommendy called the incident an “all-hands-on-deck event”, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation. Authorities are currently analyzing factors such as air traffic control decisions, the helicopter’s flight path, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.

Investigators Scrutinizing Air Traffic Control Decisions

A preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report obtained by the Associated Press revealed that only one air traffic controller was responsible for overseeing both incoming and departing aircraft, including helicopter traffic, at the time of the collision. While this setup is common during lower traffic periods, it was implemented earlier than usual on Wednesday night.

“The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the report stated.

However, an anonymous source familiar with the case argued that the staffing was within normal limits and that controllers frequently combine responsibilities during shift changes or breaks. The FAA has long struggled with air traffic controller shortages, raising concerns about whether understaffing may have contributed to the tragic event.

Military Helicopter Altitude Under Investigation

The Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three experienced Army personnel, was reportedly conducting a night training exercise at the time of the crash. Army aviation chief Jonathan Koziol confirmed that both pilots were familiar with the route and had flown it at night before.

Investigators are now examining whether the helicopter may have exceeded its maximum authorized altitude of 200 feet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that altitude may have played a role in the collision, but further analysis of flight data is required before drawing conclusions.

Victims Included Elite Athletes and Skilled Workers

Among the 60 passengers aboard the American Airlines flight was a group of young elite figure skaters, along with their parents and coaches. Additionally, four union steamfitters from Washington, D.C., were traveling on the ill-fated flight.

The tragedy has left families and communities devastated as they await answers regarding the exact cause of the accident. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac, with more search operations planned in the coming days.

Aviation Safety Record and Challenges at Reagan National

The collision is the worst U.S. aviation disaster since November 12, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed in a New York neighborhood, killing 265 people. The last fatal commercial airline crash occurred in 2009, when a commuter flight near Buffalo, New York, went down, killing 50 people.

Despite the tragedy, air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation. The National Safety Council estimates that the risk of dying in a car accident is far higher than in an airplane crash. However, the airspace around Reagan National Airport presents unique challenges even for experienced pilots, given its proximity to military aircraft, restricted airspace, and high traffic volumes.

Just one day before the collision, a regional jet approaching Reagan National had to abort its landing due to a nearby military helicopter. The aircraft landed safely after a second attempt, but the incident underscores the difficulties of navigating D.C.’s congested airspace.

Looking Ahead

With the investigation still in its early stages, officials caution that it could take months before the cause of the crash is determined. Meanwhile, recovery operations will continue as families grieve and await closure.

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks of flying in complex airspaces and the importance of aviation safety protocols to prevent future disasters.

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