Further analysis has revealed critical insights into the moments leading up to the deadly collision over the nation’s capital, highlighting unexpected maneuvers by both aircraft that resulted in the tragic impact.
On January 29, 2025, a devastating midair collision occurred over Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines passenger aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, close to Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft subsequently plunged into the Potomac River, resulting in the deaths of sixty-seven people and prompting urgent investigations into potential airspace violations, last-minute flight adjustments, and air traffic control procedures preceding the disaster.
A Sudden Change in Pitch
In the final moments before the catastrophic collision, flight tracking data indicated unusual maneuvers from both aircraft. Preliminary information from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the American Airlines regional jet made an adjustment in its rotation just before the incident. NTSB board member Todd Inman noted, “At one point very close to the impact, there was a slight change in pitch, an increase in pitch.” Investigators are now examining the plane’s flight recorder and transcribing audio from the cockpit voice recorder to understand the cause of this change.
A Shift in Altitude and Path
Investigations have suggested that the Black Hawk helicopter may have been operating above its permitted altitude. FAA regulations dictate that helicopters in Washington’s restricted airspace must remain below 200 feet above sea level. Flight tracking data showed the helicopter at 200 feet over East Potomac Park before ascending to 300 feet over the river, where it remained until seconds before the crash, when it suddenly descended.
Additionally, the helicopter appeared to deviate from its standard flight path, turning toward the river’s center instead of following the usual route along the eastern bank. Internal FAA reports reviewed by The New York Times indicated that staffing levels were not optimal on the night of the crash, as the responsibility for monitoring both the passenger jet and the helicopter fell to a single air traffic controller, rather than the typical two.
Eyewitness Accounts and ATC Audio
Eyewitnesses reported observing a rapid change in the plane’s trajectory just before the crash. Washington, D.C. resident Abadi Ismail described hearing two loud bangs and seeing smoke, stating, “It sounded like a warzone.” Another witness, Ari Schulman, noted that the passenger plane initially appeared normal until it suddenly banked sharply to the right, accompanied by a stream of sparks beneath it.
Air traffic control audio captured a controller instructing the helicopter to pass behind the American Airlines jet, to which the helicopter pilot acknowledged. Moments later, the collision occurred, with shocked voices audible in the background of the control tower recording.
The Role of the Black Hawk’s Training Mission
It was later revealed that the Black Hawk helicopter was engaged in a routine training exercise focused on emergency government evacuation procedures. Operated by the 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir, this unit is often tasked with providing secure air transport for high-ranking government and military officials in the Washington area. Investigators are analyzing whether the helicopter’s unexpected climb to 300 feet and its shift toward the river were related to its training operations or other factors.
Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense has launched an internal investigation to determine the reasons behind the helicopter’s deviation from its designated route, stating, “Tragically, last night, a mistake was made.”
Official Response and Recovery Efforts
Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors among the sixty-four people on the American Airlines flight and the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk. Recovery crews began retrieving bodies from the wreckage, with over forty recovered by Thursday afternoon.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation, calling the event a “tragedy of terrible proportions.” He later stated on Truth Social that the helicopter had been flying too high, a claim that aligns with early investigative findings. Trump also announced plans to meet with the families of those lost.
The Victims
With no survivors, families of the victims are left to grapple with the tragedy. Among those who perished were American Airlines pilots Jonathan Campos and Samuel Lilley, as well as several members of the figure skating community returning from a training camp in Kansas. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the skating world, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fellow athletes and sports organizations.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
Despite the preliminary findings from flight tracking data, experts emphasize that several factors still require further examination. The NTSB will analyze the black boxes from both aircraft to reconstruct the final moments before impact. Investigators will also assess whether the helicopter’s altitude violation and altered flight path contributed to the collision and if air traffic control staffing played a role in the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the sequence of events that led to one of the most tragic aviation disasters in Washington, D.C.’s history.