Air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport attempted to contact the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter moments before it collided with a PSA Airlines passenger plane carrying 64 people.
According to Fox News, just minutes before the PSA Airlines flight was set to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the night of January 29, air traffic control asked the pilots if they could land on Runway 33, which is shorter than the airport’s main Runway 01.
After the flight crew confirmed they could land on the shorter runway, the controller cleared the aircraft to descend toward Runway 33. Data from civilian flight tracking services indicated that the PSA Airlines plane adjusted its flight path accordingly.
A newly released audio recording, captured by LiveATC, reveals that air traffic controllers were communicating with the crew of the U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter just moments before the collision over the Potomac River.
"PAT 2-5, do you have the CRJ in sight? Follow behind it," a controller instructed. "PAT 2-5" was the call sign for the Army helicopter, while "CRJ" referred to the CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines.
"PAT 2-5 has the aircraft in sight, requesting increased separation," the UH-60 pilot responded on a separate military frequency.
Less than 13 seconds later, the audio recording captures shocked exclamations from air traffic controllers as the two aircraft collided.
"Did anyone see that?" another pilot radioed to the control tower seconds after the impact.
The tower immediately instructed incoming aircraft to abort landings on Runway 33 and climb to a higher altitude.
"I don’t know if you saw what just happened, but we’ve had a collision at the end of Runway 33. We’re suspending operations indefinitely. Please contact your airline operations and advise on your intentions," a controller stated over the radio.
The accident occurred as the PSA Airlines jet, carrying 64 passengers and crew, was making its final approach when it collided with the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River moments later.
Massive Rescue Effort Underway
Around 300 emergency personnel have been deployed to search for survivors. While the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department has not confirmed casualties, NBC News reported that more than 10 bodies have already been recovered from the river.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon and the U.S. Army are fully engaged in investigating the tragic collision. He described the ongoing search and recovery efforts as a top priority and offered prayers for the victims and their families.
The U.S. Army’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region confirmed that the helicopter was conducting a training mission when the accident occurred. The Black Hawk was assigned to the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion, which provides helicopter transport and operational support in the Washington, D.C., area.
(Sources: CNN, Reuters, Fox News)
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