On the evening of January 29, 2025, a tragic midair collision occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Audio recordings from air traffic control provide insight into the events leading up to and immediately following the accident.
Pre-Collision Communications:
According to audio from LiveATC.net, at approximately 8:47 p.m. local time, an air traffic controller inquired, “PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.” ”PAT25” refers to the call sign of the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, and “CRJ” denotes the Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines. The helicopter crew responded, confirming they had the aircraft in sight and were requesting visual separation. citeturn0search5
Moment of Impact:
Less than 13 seconds after the initial communication, the audio captured audible gasps, including a loud “oooh” from the control tower, indicating the moment of the collision. An air traffic controller then declared an emergency, stating, “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three.” citeturn0search2
Immediate Aftermath:
Following the collision, another aircraft radioed in, asking, “Tower, did you see that?” Air traffic controllers promptly redirected incoming flights to abort their landings and initiated emergency protocols. The collision resulted in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene, but authorities have reported no expected survivors among the 64 individuals on board both aircraft. citeturn0search5
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the factors contributing to the collision. The recovered audio recordings will play a crucial role in understanding the sequence of events and identifying potential miscommunications or procedural errors that led to this tragic incident.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community and the nation mourn the loss of life resulting from this devastating event. Authorities are committed to uncovering the causes of the collision and implementing measures to prevent future tragedies in the skies.
