Investigation into the Midair Collision of an Army Helicopter and American Airlines Flight

SOURCE www.npr.org
An Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, leading to the deadliest air crash in the U.S. in 20 years. Investigators are looking into whether the pilots experienced vision impairment and if the helicopter deviated from its normal route.

Key Points

  • Investigators are looking into potential vision impairment of the pilots and deviation from normal route
  • Uncertain if night vision goggles were being used at the time of the crash
  • Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying higher than regulations permit

Pros

  • NTSB leading investigation to determine cause of crash
  • Data from recording devices being analyzed to understand what led to the collision

Cons

  • 67 people aboard both aircraft were killed in the crash