New Radar Data Suggests Helicopter Was Flying Too High
Recent radar evidence suggests that the U.S. Army’s Black Hawk Altitude helicopter involved in last week’s fatal midair collision was flying above its designated altitude limit, raising new questions in the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The crash, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both the helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342.
According to the latest data released Tuesday, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet—100 feet above its assigned limit—when it collided with the Bombardier CRJ700 jet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously outlined that helicopters using the designated route over the Potomac River were restricted to 200 feet.
The NTSB emphasized that this radar data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet, making it imperative to gather additional evidence before drawing conclusions. While the air traffic control display at Reagan National appeared to indicate the Black Hawk altitude at 300 feet, investigators are awaiting more precise data from the helicopter’s wreckage, which remains underwater and is not expected to be recovered until next week.
Conflicting Data Raises Further Uncertainty
Discrepancies in altitude readings have complicated the investigation. Over the weekend, NTSB board member J. Todd Inman stated that the Reagan National tower radar showed the Black Hawk Altitude at 200 feet, while the flight data recorder from the American Airlines jet placed it at 325 feet. Investigators are working to reconcile these differences, with both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the aircraft recovered but still undergoing analysis.
Amid mounting speculation, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has urged patience, emphasizing the need for a thorough and transparent investigation. She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to releasing verified information as it becomes available. “Every piece of the information is critical to the investigation, and the NTSB is about transparency,” she stated. Despite the uncertainties, officials have underscored the significance of determining the Black Hawk’s precise altitude at the time of the crash, as the collision occurred under clear skies in one of the nation’s most strictly regulated airspace corridors.
President Donald Trump, however, voiced his opinion prematurely. Posting on Truth Social last Friday, he asserted, “The Blackhawk helicopter was flying too high, by a lot. It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it?”
Ongoing Recovery and Investigation Efforts
Efforts to retrieve and examine wreckage from both aircraft are continuing amid worsening weather conditions in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, crews removed major sections of the jet from the Potomac River, including a portion bearing the “American Eagle” logo. The wreckage has been transported to a secure location for further analysis, which will include an assessment of structural damage, instrument readings, and other critical data.
Black Hawk Altitude, Authorities have confirmed that all 67 victims have been recovered and identified. Meanwhile, Unified Command has stated that the helicopter recovery will commence once all jet wreckage has been cleared from the crash site, a process expected to conclude by Thursday.
A preliminary report on the crash’s cause is anticipated within the next 30 days, but the final findings may take more than a year. However, Homendy remains optimistic about a faster resolution. “I would hope it would be much less than that,” she said.
