Washington, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board has provided an update on its investigation into the January 29, 2025, mid-air collision involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.
During a February 14 briefing, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stated that the on-scene investigation had concluded, allowing investigators to shift their focus to analyzing flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and maintenance records. Homendy explained, “We have the perishable evidence we need, so we want to provide an investigative update and talk about next steps.”
Flight Details and Collision Sequence
The Black Hawk was on a check ride, a required evaluation flight for a pilot to be qualified for specific aircrew or mission duties. This particular flight was a combined annual and night vision goggles check ride. Investigators believe the crew was likely wearing night vision goggles throughout the flight. Had they removed them, standard procedure required a discussion about going “unaided.” The NTSB confirmed that no such discussion was recorded on the helicopter’s cockpit voice recorder.
According to preliminary data, at approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the CRJ700 began its descent from 37,000 feet. Meanwhile, at 8:30 p.m., the Black Hawk was traveling southbound after maneuvering near Laytonsville, Maryland.
The Black Hawk’s crew requested approval for Helicopter Route 1 to Route 4 to Davison Army Air Field at 8:33 p.m. and was cleared by air traffic control. Around 8:38 p.m., the Black Hawk reached the intersection of the D.C. Beltway and the Potomac River, near Carderock, Maryland, and began descending.
At 8:39 p.m., Potomac Approach cleared the CRJ crew for the Mount Vernon Visual Runway 1 approach. Seven minutes later, the CRJ crew contacted DCA Tower, which then asked if they could switch to Runway 33. The CRJ crew agreed.
At approximately 8:43 p.m., the Black Hawk was flying west of the Key Bridge at 300 feet, according to the pilot flying. However, the instructor pilot indicated they were at 400 feet. Investigators noted that neither pilot acknowledged the discrepancy, and the NTSB is examining why the two reports differed.
At 8:44 p.m., the Black Hawk approached the Key Bridge and continued descending. By 8:45 p.m., the CRJ was fully configured for landing with gear down and locked, roughly 6.2 nautical miles south of the airport. Moments later, the autopilot was disengaged, and the CRJ entered a right turn off the Runway 1 localizer.
The Black Hawk, at this point, had crossed over the Washington Tidal Basin and was following Helicopter Route 1 along the Washington Channel. At 8:46 p.m., DCA Tower informed the Black Hawk crew that there was a CRJ at 1,200 feet circling to land on Runway 33. Cockpit voice recorder data from the Black Hawk suggests that the word “circling” may not have been clearly received by the helicopter crew.
At 8:46:08, the Black Hawk crew acknowledged having the CRJ in sight and requested visual separation, which was approved by air traffic control. Less than two minutes before the collision, the Black Hawk passed the southern tip of Hains Point.
The CRJ, now at an altitude of approximately 516 feet and traveling at 133 knots, began its final left turn to line up with Runway 33. At 8:47:29, the CRJ crew received a 500-foot altitude warning. Twenty seconds later, a radio transmission from the tower was captured on both cockpit voice recorders, asking the Black Hawk crew if the CRJ was in sight. In the background, the ATC Conflict Alert warning was audible.
The CRJ’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System issued a “Traffic, Traffic” warning at 8:47:40. Three seconds later, DCA Tower instructed the Black Hawk to pass behind the CRJ. However, the Black Hawk’s cockpit voice recording does not contain the phrase “pass behind the,” suggesting it may not have been fully received.
At 8:47:52, the CRJ lined up on final approach for Runway 33 at a radio altitude of 344 feet. The aircraft increased pitch to nine degrees nose-up at 8:47:58, seconds before impact.
Flight data shows that at the time of the collision, the CRJ had a recorded altitude of 313 feet, a left-wing down roll of 11 degrees, and was descending at 448 feet per minute. The Black Hawk was at 278 feet, maintaining that altitude for at least five seconds prior to impact.
Ongoing Investigation and Wreckage Recovery
Following the accident, NTSB teams have conducted extensive documentation of the wreckage. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries RJ Aviation CRJ700 and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk were both recovered from the Potomac River and moved to secure locations for further examination.
As of February 14, the NTSB confirmed that significant progress has been made, with airworthiness, flight operations, and human performance teams analyzing components of both aircraft. The helicopter operations and human performance group has been conducting interviews with Army aviation personnel.
The investigation has also involved multiple agencies and industry representatives. The organizations assisting include:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- U.S. Army
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association
- Air Line Pilots Association
- Association of Flight Attendants
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Divers from the FBI have also been assisting with underwater searches to recover additional aircraft debris.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The NTSB is continuing analysis of both aircraft’s cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders. These efforts aim to reconstruct the final moments before impact to determine whether any miscommunications or operational errors contributed to the crash.
Chairman Homendy emphasized that investigators will not speculate on the cause of the accident until a full report is completed. “A preliminary report is expected within 30 days from the date of the accident. The probable cause and contributing factors will be determined in the final report, expected in 12 to 24 months,” Homendy said.
The collision has prompted renewed discussions on air traffic procedures and the risks associated with complex airspace near major metropolitan airports.
As the investigation continues, the NTSB urges anyone with additional information or video evidence related to the accident to come forward. Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
