An American Airlines passenger plane collided mid-air with a Black Hawk helicopter on Thursday near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in what can be described as a most tragic scenario. Once the two aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, the rescue teams climbed to try and recover the bodies as well as debris. Thus far, nineteen bodies have been recovered from the river with fears the number may still rise given that operations are ongoing.
American Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701 jet, had about 64 people on board- passengers plus crew. The helicopter had three people on board. The collision occurred immediately before the plane was due to land on top of the hill, and both aircraft jumped into the cold waters of the Potomac. Internet footage depicts the horrifying moments of impact, with the plane striking the helicopter as it landed in final approach.
Some radio transponder data gathered from the plane indicate that Flight 5342 had gone down to about 400 feet and was flying at about 140 miles an hour. The Canadian-manufactured plane dates back to 2004-it had a capacity for up to 70 passengers-and had been operating normally before it was smashed in its last stages of approach.
What Went Wrong?
Air Traffic Control told the American Airlines flight to land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport, a request that the pilots accepted. Flight tracking information indicated that the plane was making its approach to the new runway. But, 30 seconds before the impact, controllers radioed the helicopter, asking if the latter had the airliner in sight. Moments later, an air controller gave another warning: “PAT 25, pass behind the CRJ.”
It was too late. Almost immediately following the caution came a collision between the two air- crafts. The plane’s transponder ceased transmitting around 2,400 feet from the runway, almost directly over the middle of the river. Investigations into the cause for the crash are still underway with initial reports suggesting that a breakdown of communication or failure to maintain safe distance between the two aircraft being the likely cause of the crash.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
As rescue operations started, several fireboats of the Washington Fire Department were sent to the scene. In spite of the freezing temperatures and difficult conditions, they fought on to recover the bodies and search for survivors. The chances of finding anyone alive among the debris are however said to be extremely slight.
The accident has elicited serious questions concerning air traffic control protocols and the safety of busy airports adjacent to major airports. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., is known to have a tough approach path and is under heavy traffic.
A Tragic Reminder of Aviation Risks
Had the incident happened only a few years ago, it would have obtained countless questions about aviation risks, with high technology backup everything in airline passenger safety. The agony is with the families, and the aviation community must find answers. It is never going to be easy piecing together the events leading to the disaster as one thing becomes clear: this was a tragic and preventable event that has troubled the nation.