Investigators recover black boxes from mid-air collision

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the American Airlines jet involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the American Airlines jet involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Investigators have recovered the so-called black boxes from that American Airlines jet involved in that deadly collision here in our nation's capital. The voice and flight data recorders are now being evaluated at *** nearby lab, and of course these are going to be considered critical pieces of information trying to understand how this could happen. More than 24 hours after *** devastating midair collision, investigators are scrambling for answers. We're here to assure the American people. That we are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into why this commercial airliner from Wichita, Kansas crashed into *** US Army Black Hawk helicopter while making its descent into Washington DC. There was some sort of an elevation issue. The Associated Press obtained FAA documents indicating. *** single air traffic controller was working two positions, managing both helicopter and plane traffic during the collision, which is not normal for the time of day and the amount of traffic. We obtained audio less than 30 seconds before the crash as someone in the tower tries to reach the Black Hawk helicopter, or in this case PAT 25. The tower asking the pilot if they see the commercial regional jet or CRJ. Then telling them to pass behind. Seconds later, the collision. The people in the helicopter should have seen. Where we're going. While President Donald Trump was quick to point fingers, the NTSB cautions. We do not know enough facts to be able to rule in or out human factor, mechanical factors. That is part of the NTSB investigative process. Investigators have recovered the so-called black boxes from that American Airlines jet involved in that deadly collision here in our nation's capital. The voice and flight data recorders are now being evaluated at *** nearby lab, and of course these are going to be considered critical pieces of information trying to understand how this could happen. More than 24 hours after *** devastating midair collision, investigators are scrambling for answers. We're here to assure the American people. That we are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into why this commercial airliner from Wichita, Kansas crashed into *** US Army Black Hawk helicopter while making its descent into Washington DC. There was some sort of an elevation issue. The Associated Press obtained FAA documents indicating. *** single air traffic controller was working two positions, managing both helicopter and plane traffic during the collision, which is not normal for the time of day and the amount of traffic. We obtained audio less than 30 seconds before the crash as someone in the tower tries to reach the Black Hawk helicopter, or in this case PAT 25. The tower asking the pilot if they see the commercial regional jet or CRJ. Then telling them to pass behind. Seconds later, the collision. The people in the helicopter should have seen. Where we're going. While President Donald Trump was quick to point fingers, the NTSB cautions. We do not know enough facts to be able to rule in or out human factor, mechanical factors. That is part of the NTSB investigative process.

Investigators recover black boxes from mid-air collision

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the American Airlines jet involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the American Airlines jet involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C."We are here to assure the American people that we are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation," said Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chairperson.The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into why the commercial airliner from Wichita, Kansas, crashed into the helicopter while making its descent into Washington, D.C."There was some sort of an elevation issue," said Defense Department Secretary Pete Hegseth.The Associated Press obtained Federal Aviation Administration documents indicating a single air traffic controller was working two positions, managing both helicopter and plane traffic during the collision, which is not normal for the time of day and amount of traffic.Audio obtained less than 30 seconds before the crash captures someone in the tower trying to reach the Black Hawk helicopter, referred to as "PAT 2-5.""PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?" the tower asked the pilot, referring to the bombardier CRJ."PAT25, pass behind the CRJ," the tower instructed.Seconds later, the collision occurred."The people in the helicopter should've seen where they were going," said President Donald Trump.The National Transportation Safety Board said it was too soon to speculate and pledged to release a preliminary report within 30 days."We don't have enough facts to rule in or out human factor, mechanical factors. That is part of the NTSB investigative process," said Todd Inman, NTSB member.Just 24 hours before the deadly collision, another passenger jet executed a "go-around" after its automated collision avoidance system alerted the pilots to avoid a nearby helicopter. That plane eventually landed safely.At least 29 bodies have been removed from the Potomac River, including the three soldiers on the military helicopter.The governor of Kansas said the flight manifest, listing the names of everyone on the flight, is expected to be released tomorrow afternoon.If there are no survivors, the collision will be the deadliest U.S. air crash since 2001.

WASHINGTON —

Investigators have recovered the black boxes from the American Airlines jet involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.

"We are here to assure the American people that we are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation," said Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chairperson.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into why the commercial airliner from Wichita, Kansas, crashed into the helicopter while making its descent into Washington, D.C.

"There was some sort of an elevation issue," said Defense Department Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The Associated Press obtained Federal Aviation Administration documents indicating a single air traffic controller was working two positions, managing both helicopter and plane traffic during the collision, which is not normal for the time of day and amount of traffic.

Audio obtained less than 30 seconds before the crash captures someone in the tower trying to reach the Black Hawk helicopter, referred to as "PAT 2-5."

"PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?" the tower asked the pilot, referring to the bombardier CRJ.

"PAT25, pass behind the CRJ," the tower instructed.

Seconds later, the collision occurred.

"The people in the helicopter should've seen where they were going," said President Donald Trump.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was too soon to speculate and pledged to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

"We don't have enough facts to rule in or out human factor, mechanical factors. That is part of the NTSB investigative process," said Todd Inman, NTSB member.

Just 24 hours before the deadly collision, another passenger jet executed a "go-around" after its automated collision avoidance system alerted the pilots to avoid a nearby helicopter. That plane eventually landed safely.

At least 29 bodies have been removed from the Potomac River, including the three soldiers on the military helicopter.

The governor of Kansas said the flight manifest, listing the names of everyone on the flight, is expected to be released tomorrow afternoon.

If there are no survivors, the collision will be the deadliest U.S. air crash since 2001.

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