The collision between an American Airlines aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter stands as one of the most catastrophic air tragedies in recent American history. In this distressing incident, all 64 individuals on the commercial flight and the three military personnel aboard the helicopter are feared to have lost their lives.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has successfully retrieved the black box and flight data recorder from the DC crash site. These essential devices hold altitude readings that may unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident.

Altitude Metrics and Potential Crash Factors

Initial findings reveal that American Airlines Flight 5342 was cruising at an altitude of approximately 325 feet, with an allowable 25-foot margin of error. In contrast, tower records indicate that the Black Hawk helicopter was operating at roughly 200 feet.

Investigation efforts are currently focused on clarifying the nearly 100-foot discrepancy in altitude records. If the jet’s recorded altitude is accurate, it suggests that the helicopter was flying significantly above safe operating limits for its airspace.

Moreover, authorities are diligently working to extract data from the helicopter’s black box, which was located submerged in the frigid waters of the Potomac River, leading to complications due to waterlogging.

Crucial Insights from Investigators

Brice Banning, the lead NTSB investigator, spoke to the media regarding the continuing inquiry:

“This investigation is complex. We have numerous elements to assess. Our team is dedicated to collecting this critical data.”

Banning further disclosed that the black box from the jet recorded the crew’s verbal reactions just before the crash. He shared:

“As the aircraft began to elevate, sounds of the impending impact were recorded approximately one second afterward, followed by the end of the recording.”

Reactions from Former President Trump

Former President Donald Trump expressed his views on the tragedy, asserting that the helicopter was “too high” and operating “far above its 200-foot limit”. He articulated:

“This isn’t really too complicated to understand, is it???”

Future Steps in the Investigation

The NTSB and aviation specialists are laboring tirelessly to resolve the altitude discrepancies and reconstruct the events leading up to this devastating air disaster. Investigators remain optimistic that the data from the recovered flight recorders will lead to clear insights regarding this tragedy.