Sat Feb 15 02:35:33 UTC 2025: ## Mid-Air Collision Near Washington D.C. Leaves 67 Dead; Preliminary Investigation Suggests Potential Communication and Altimeter Errors

**Washington, D.C. – February 15, 2025** – A preliminary investigation into the January 29th mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which killed all 67 people on board, points to potential communication failures and inaccurate altitude readings as contributing factors.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy revealed Friday that a disrupted radio transmission may have prevented the Black Hawk crew from fully understanding instructions to maneuver behind the American Airlines plane. The helicopter’s microphone key being pressed simultaneously blocked key phrases from the air traffic controller’s instructions. Further, the crew may have missed part of another communication regarding the jet’s runway change.

The investigation also raises serious questions about the helicopter’s altimeters. Cockpit voice recordings indicate conflicting altitude readings shortly before the crash, with the pilot reporting 300 feet while the instructor pilot reported 400 feet. While the Black Hawk’s radio altimeter recorded 278 feet at impact, the NTSB emphasizes this may not reflect what the crew saw on their barometric altimeters. The helicopter was above its 200-foot altitude limit for that location.

Experts suggest the helicopter pilots’ night vision goggles could have impaired their peripheral vision, potentially causing them to misinterpret air traffic. The possibility of faulty altimeter data is also under investigation. The American Airlines pilot performed a last-second evasive maneuver before impact, according to the NTSB.

The NTSB emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, with a final report expected in over a year. While the Army has stated the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced, the incident underscores the complexities of air traffic management in busy airspace. The victims included the three-member Black Hawk crew and passengers on the American Airlines flight ranging from students to elite junior figure skaters. President Trump’s early, unsubstantiated claims regarding the cause of the crash have been widely criticized.

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