DCA Plane Crash - NTSB Update

This is an ongoing developing investigation. Be sure to check back for update.

Background

On January 29, 2025, a catastrophic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River near DCA involving an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Tragically, all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft perished, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over two decades. Today, the NTSB gave their first preliminary report on the sequence of events leading up to the crash.

Sequence of Events:

• 8:15 PM EST: The CRJ700 commenced its descent from 37,000 feet.
• 8:30 PM: The Black Hawk, on a training mission, began traveling southbound near Laytonsville, Maryland. The instructor pilot managed radio communications while the pilot under evaluation operated the aircraft.
• 8:33:41 PM: The Black Hawk crew requested clearance for Helicopter Routes 1 to 4 toward Davison Army Airfield, which was granted by air traffic control.
• 8:43:06 PM: The CRJ700 crew contacted Reagan National Airport's tower and agreed to switch their approach to runway 33.
• 8:43:48 PM: The Black Hawk was approximately 1.1 nautical miles west of the Key Bridge. The pilot reported an altitude of 300 feet, while the instructor noted 400 feet. This discrepancy remains unexplained.
• 8:45:30 PM: The Black Hawk crossed over the Memorial Bridge, with the instructor emphasizing the need to descend to 200 feet.
• 8:47 PM: Less than 30 seconds before impact, a conflict alert sounded. The tower inquired if the Black Hawk had visual contact with the CRJ700 and instructed it to pass behind the jet. The helicopter crew affirmed visual contact and sought visual separation, which was approved.

The collision occurred shortly thereafter, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River.

Key Findings:

• Communication Breakdown: Crucial instructions from air traffic control to the Black Hawk were possibly missed due to simultaneous radio transmissions, leading to incomplete messages. 
• Altitude Discrepancies: Conflicting altitude readings within the Black Hawk cockpit suggest potential reliance on erroneous data, possibly exacerbated by the use of night vision goggles during the nighttime training mission. 
• Airspace Complexity: The collision occurred in one of the nation's most congested and closely monitored airspaces, highlighting the challenges of managing mixed military and civilian flight operations. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded the on-scene phase of its investigation. The debris will be moved from the airport to an NTSB facility, and a comprehensive analysis is underway to determine the probable cause, with a final report anticipated within a year.