The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder — commonly referred to as black boxes — from a catastrophic mid-air collision between a commercial passenger plane and a military helicopter have been recovered. The crash, which occurred over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, claimed the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft.
As investigators sift through the wreckage, critical questions are emerging about air traffic control staffing and operational protocols at one of the most tightly controlled airspaces in the world.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the black boxes, which hold vital flight data and cockpit communications, were retrieved and transported to their laboratory for analysis. Experts believe these devices may provide essential clues to understand the sequence of events that led to the deadly collision.
The NTSB stated that a preliminary report would be released within 30 days. “These devices are critical to piecing together the final moments of both aircraft and identifying any failures or errors,” an NTSB official said.
Normally, two air traffic controllers manage operations for helicopters and airplanes flying near Reagan National Airport. However, only one controller was on duty at the time of the collision on Wednesday night, according to a preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This revelation, first reported by The New York Times, has raised concerns about safety protocols at a time when the federal government continues to face staffing shortages at the FAA. The issue has persisted for years, with efforts to recruit and retain controllers falling short amid mounting retirements and increased demand.
While having a single controller manage both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft does not breach current FAA guidelines, sources close to the investigation described it as “not normal” for such a critical airspace.
The crash occurred around 9:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday when PSA Airlines Flight 5342, operating as American Airlines, collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter during the plane’s final approach to the airport.
The commercial flight, a Bombardier CRJ700, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 64 passengers, including young figure skaters, their mothers, and Russian coaches.
The Army Black Hawk helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60, had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia as part of a training mission with three soldiers aboard.
Following the collision, both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River. The passenger jet shattered upon impact and sank several feet into the icy waters, while the helicopter flipped upside down.
Divers spent most of Thursday scouring the frigid waters in search of victims and debris. By evening, recovery teams had retrieved 27 bodies from the passenger plane and one from the helicopter. Search efforts were suspended overnight due to dangerous conditions.
“We are working tirelessly to bring closure to the families of the victims,” a rescue team leader said.
During a somber press briefing on Thursday, President Donald Trump led a moment of silence and prayer for the victims. “We can only begin to imagine the agony you’re all feeling,” the President said. “Our hearts are shattered alongside yours.”
However, Trump stirred controversy by speculating without evidence that lower hiring standards for air traffic controllers under previous Democratic administrations may have contributed to the tragedy.
In a move that immediately drew political backlash, the President signed a memorandum on Thursday to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in the aviation sector.
“DEI initiatives have no place in critical safety positions,” Trump declared. “We need the best and brightest, period.”
Critics, including aviation experts and civil rights advocates, condemned the decision, arguing that DEI programs are designed to widen talent pools and ensure equal opportunities in the workforce.
In addition to the DEI memorandum, Trump signed an executive order appointing a new head of the FAA. The current acting administrator, whose tenure was marked by efforts to modernize air traffic control systems and improve staffing levels, is expected to step down.
The tragedy has drawn condolences from around the world. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed sorrow over the loss of Russian citizens aboard the flight, including two coaches accompanying young figure skaters.
“It’s bad news today from Washington,” Peskov said. “We are sorry and send our condolences to families and friends.”
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the loss of the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter. “It’s a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner and, of course, the three soldiers in that Black Hawk,” Hegseth said.
As the investigation continues, officials are examining potential factors contributing to the collision, including human error, air traffic control procedures, and technical failures.
Aviation safety expert Dr. Amanda Lewis said, “Mid-air collisions are exceedingly rare, especially in controlled airspace near major airports. The presence of just one air traffic controller managing multiple flight operations raises serious concerns.”
The FAA has pledged full cooperation with the NTSB investigation and vowed to address any findings related to air traffic control practices.
Families of the victims gathered at a nearby hotel, where grief counselors and airline representatives provided support. Candles and flowers were placed near the riverbank as a makeshift memorial.
“We lost friends, neighbors, and loved ones,” said a local pastor leading a vigil. “But we will honor their memory by seeking the truth and making sure this never happens again.”
As Washington grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, all eyes remain on the NTSB investigation and the broader implications for aviation safety in one of the world’s busiest and most secure airspaces.
