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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is examining potential equipment malfunctions, altimeter discrepancies, and miscommunications with air traffic control as possible causes of a midair collision between an Army helicopter and a commercial airplane on January 29 near Washington, D.C.
The crash was the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 25 years, claiming the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft.
American Eagle Flight 5342 was descending to land when the UH 60 Black Hawk helicopter was shifting flight paths. Air traffic control had asked the Black Hawk if it had the airplane in sight and advised it to pass behind the jet. However, the helicopter crew may not have received the full transmission.
According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the crew of the helicopter, who were conducting a night vision goggle check ride, may not have heard crucial instructions from air traffic control due to a microphone key being depressed at the time of the transmission.
Homendy also noted that there was a discrepancy in the reported altitude of the helicopter, with the pilot indicating 300 feet and the instructor pilot indicating 400 feet. The NTSB is investigating whether the altimeter data was accurate. Additionally, the helicopter may not have received a warning about the plane's proximity.
The NTSB has recovered all flight data recorders and plans to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks. The final report is expected to take over a year to complete.