A tragic mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport has left the nation in shock, as newly released air traffic control audio provides a harrowing glimpse into the moments before, during, and after the crash. The incident involved an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, both of which plunged into the icy Potomac River, leaving no survivors.
The audio captures the tense exchanges between air traffic controllers and the pilots in the final seconds before the collision. One controller can be heard asking the helicopter crew, “PAT 2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight?” Moments later, the Black Hawk pilot confirms visual contact with the plane, but tragedy strikes just seconds after. Gasps from the tower and a loud “oooh” mark the moment of impact, followed by frantic efforts to manage the unfolding crisis.
Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to the freezing temperatures and strong currents of the Potomac River. The river, with an average depth of 24 feet and some areas reaching 107 feet, made recovery efforts particularly difficult. Meanwhile, flights at Reagan National Airport were halted, causing widespread disruptions.
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President Donald Trump weighed in on the tragedy via his Truth Social platform, questioning why the helicopter failed to avoid the plane and suggesting that better communication from the control tower could have prevented the disaster. As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the audio recordings will play a crucial role in uncovering what went wrong.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly disaster can strike, even under routine conditions.
