The cockpit voice recorder from a helicopter involved in a devastating plane crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has been recovered, as officials prepare to ramp up debris recovery efforts over the coming days.
Recovery Efforts Intensify Following Fatal Plane and Helicopter Collision in Washington DC
Recovery Efforts Intensify Following Fatal Plane and Helicopter Collision in Washington DC
Authorities continue salvage and investigation operations after a tragic aviation accident leaves 67 dead.
The tragic collision, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in 67 fatalities, including 64 passengers aboard an American Airlines flight and three Army personnel in the helicopter. Emergency responders have been working tirelessly, with operations already ongoing to recover debris and identify victims. As of Friday, 28 victims have been identified and 41 bodies have been recovered from the nearby Potomac River. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since imposed restrictions on helicopter flights around the airport due to safety concerns about congested airspace.
The recovery operations have included retrieving the cockpit voice recorders or "black boxes" from both the helicopter and the passenger plane. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman announced that, following the removal of moisture from the recorders, data extraction could occur soon as investigations into the incident continue. However, the cause of the crash remains undetermined.
Significantly, the salvage operations, led by the US Navy, are set to increase over the weekend, with cranes scheduled to remove larger aircraft pieces from the water starting the following Sunday. Over 500 emergency personnel are currently on-site, working diligently to map the debris field and assess how the aircraft collided.
Investigators are also scrutinizing the air traffic control procedures from the day of the accident. An air traffic controller reportedly managed both helicopter and airplane traffic in the area, prompting NTSB officials to evaluate the staffing and operational protocols leading up to the crash. Amid ongoing inquiries, President Trump has made controversial remarks about the accident's causes, attributing them to safety concerns related to FAA staffing policies.
Inman emphasized that the investigation is focused on uncovering the facts surrounding this tragedy and ensuring such incidents do not occur in the future.
The recovery operations have included retrieving the cockpit voice recorders or "black boxes" from both the helicopter and the passenger plane. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman announced that, following the removal of moisture from the recorders, data extraction could occur soon as investigations into the incident continue. However, the cause of the crash remains undetermined.
Significantly, the salvage operations, led by the US Navy, are set to increase over the weekend, with cranes scheduled to remove larger aircraft pieces from the water starting the following Sunday. Over 500 emergency personnel are currently on-site, working diligently to map the debris field and assess how the aircraft collided.
Investigators are also scrutinizing the air traffic control procedures from the day of the accident. An air traffic controller reportedly managed both helicopter and airplane traffic in the area, prompting NTSB officials to evaluate the staffing and operational protocols leading up to the crash. Amid ongoing inquiries, President Trump has made controversial remarks about the accident's causes, attributing them to safety concerns related to FAA staffing policies.
Inman emphasized that the investigation is focused on uncovering the facts surrounding this tragedy and ensuring such incidents do not occur in the future.
