On Thursday, President Donald Trump declared that no one was alive after a military helicopter and passenger plane collided in midair over the Potomac River the day before.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. military aviation experts, is leading the effort to determine the factors that contributed to this tragic incident.

What is the Cause of the Mid-Air Collision Between the Flight 5342 and the Black Hawk Helicopter
Emergency personnel work at the site of the crash after a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle flight 5342

Flight Path and Initial Findings

According to preliminary reports, both aircraft were operating within their designated flight patterns at the time of impact. The American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was in the process of descending for its final approach to Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Meanwhile, the U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three military personnel, was engaged in a routine night training mission.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that "both aircraft were in their standard flight corridors before the crash occurred", raising questions about potential miscommunication or misalignment in air traffic control instructions. The Pentagon has confirmed that the Black Hawk's mission was part of a regularly scheduled night evaluation training exercise, with the crew wearing night vision goggles. Investigators will analyze whether the helicopter maintained the proper flight altitude and corridor at the time of the collision.

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Weather Conditions and Visibility

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were reported to be clear, with good visibility and no significant turbulence. Investigators have ruled out adverse weather as a primary contributing factor in the collision.

However, night flying presents additional challenges. Even with advanced night vision equipment, depth perception and situational awareness can be reduced in low-light conditions. The Black Hawk crew's ability to detect and react to the approaching commercial aircraft will be a focal point of the investigation.

Analysis of Flight Data Recorders

A crucial step in the investigation will be the retrieval and analysis of the flight data recorders (black boxes) from both aircraft.

These recorders capture:

Flight parameters (speed, altitude, heading, and control inputs)

Cockpit audio recordings

Communications with air traffic control (ATC)

Investigators will assess whether any technical malfunctions, human errors, or ATC miscommunications played a role in the crash. The FAA and NTSB will also examine the coordination between civilian and military air traffic controllers, who are responsible for managing airspace safety.

Potential Causes Being Examined

While the investigation remains ongoing, aviation experts are exploring several possible causes of the collision:

  1. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Miscommunication:

    • Whether ATC provided conflicting or unclear instructions to either aircraft.

    • Whether the Black Hawk's flight plan was properly relayed to commercial air traffic controllers.

    • Whether there was a failure to alert either aircraft of their proximity.

  2. Pilot Situational Awareness and Evasive Actions:

    • Whether the Black Hawk crew or American Airlines pilots saw the other aircraft in time to react.

    • Whether standard collision avoidance maneuvers were attempted.

  3. Technical Failures:

    • Whether Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) were properly functioning on both aircraft.

    • Whether the Black Hawk’s transponder was operating correctly, allowing ATC and other aircraft to detect it.

  4. Military and Civilian Airspace Coordination:

    • Whether the military helicopter had proper clearance to operate near civilian flight paths.

    • Whether there are gaps in regulations governing shared military-civilian airspace near major airports.

The Army pilots involved in the crash were highly experienced

The soldiers operating the Black Hawk helicopter that collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 on Wednesday night were part of the 12th Aviation Battalion, a unit well-versed in navigating the complex airspace around Reagan National Airport, according to former pilots from the battalion.

Brad Bowman, a former Black Hawk pilot and member of the 12th Aviation Battalion, described the airspace near Reagan National as one of the busiest aviation hubs in the country, if not the world. The low-level helicopter routes used by military aircraft have been in operation for decades and require precise communication and coordination with Reagan tower controllers to ensure safety.

"It is like a concert or orchestra of activity that demands strict adherence to instructions and seamless cooperation between pilots and air traffic control," Bowman told CNN.

The soldiers flying the Black Hawk on Wednesday were described as “fairly experienced” and were on an annual proficiency training flight, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday.

The 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, frequently conducts missions along the Potomac River and past Reagan National Airport. Their flights often involve transporting high-ranking military officers, Pentagon officials, or other VIPs across the northeast region.

On their standard route past Reagan National, Black Hawk pilots lower their altitude to the lowest point of their journey, a maneuver designed to avoid interference with commercial aircraft arriving or departing from DCA.

“This is not unusual—it’s routine,” Bowman stated. “Every weekday, we had at least one, if not multiple, aircraft from my company flying that exact route.”

A former 12th Aviation Battalion pilot told CNN that roughly 100 government-operated helicopter flights pass through this airspace corridor daily, including aircraft from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Aviation Safety Experts Weigh In

Aviation safety experts have emphasized that mid-air collisions are among the rarest aviation disasters due to modern air traffic management and collision avoidance technology.

Former FAA safety inspector David Schulz commented:

"This is a highly unusual accident, given that both aircraft were following standard procedures. Either there was a serious communication failure, or one of the aircraft was not where it was expected to be."

Additionally, retired military aviation commander General Mark Rosen noted that:

"Military aircraft operate in civilian airspace regularly, but coordination is key. We need to determine if there was any lapse in communication between military controllers and civilian ATC."

Next Steps in the Investigation

The NTSB will continue to:

  • Analyze flight data and cockpit recordings to reconstruct the final moments before the crash.

  • Examine wreckage debris to rule out mechanical malfunctions.

  • Interview air traffic controllers, pilots, and aviation experts to assess procedural adherence.

  • Release an interim report within weeks, with a final investigative report expected in 6-12 months.

Conclusion

The mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., has left investigators and aviation experts searching for answers. As details emerge, the findings from this investigation will shape future aviation safety regulations, military-civilian airspace coordination, and air traffic control procedures to prevent similar tragedies.

Authorities have emphasized the need for patience as the investigation unfolds, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that such an accident never happens again.

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