The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the mid-air collision between a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating for American Eagle, and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The incident occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29.
On February 4, the NTSB reported progress in recovering parts of the CRJ700 from the Potomac River with assistance from the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. Recovered components include sections of the wings, fuselage, cabin, cockpit, stabilizers, tail cone, rudder, elevators, TCAS computer, and quick access recorder.
The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days of the crash. Updated information shows that air traffic control at Washington National is supported by POTOMAC Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which integrates data from multiple radar sensors and ADS-B data. At the time of collision, the Black Hawk was recorded at 300 feet on ATC displays.
However, further verification is needed as additional data points are pending recovery from the river. Notably, timestamps must be manually created for the Black Hawk’s flight data recorder due to their absence.
According to FAA charts for Baltimore and Washington DC helicopter routes, helicopters should not exceed 200 feet above mean sea level north of Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge. The collision happened on ‘ROUTE 4’ near runway 33/15 where Flight 5342 was cleared to land.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom informed employees about a minute of silence planned for February 5 in memory of those lost in the crash: 60 passengers, four crew members, and three US Army service members. He emphasized support for affected families as a priority after visiting Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport—the departure point for Flight 5342.
Isom also noted President Trump’s condolences and his administration’s commitment to aviation safety following measures limiting helicopter traffic near DCA. Trump expressed appreciation for efforts supporting affected families while asserting that diversity policies might have contributed to this incident—a claim he based on “common sense.”
