The black box has been recovered following a tragic collision between a commercial plane and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C., United States. Investigations are underway into possible faults, including a staffing shortage in the airport’s control tower. Typically, two staff members are on duty to manage air traffic in this region, but reports indicate only one person was present at the time of the accident, according to the British news outlet BBC.
CBS News, BBC’s U.S. partner, reported that the control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., was understaffed, which may have contributed to the incident. A total of 67 passengers and crew from both aircraft were killed in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that a preliminary investigation report will be released within 30 days.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, commonly known as black boxes, are expected to provide crucial information about the cause of the crash. CBS News stated that the black boxes would be sent to an NTSB lab near the crash site for analysis.
According to a report by The New York Times, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described the staffing shortage in its preliminary report as unusual. The FAA has been facing a recruitment crisis for key positions in recent years. However, sources mentioned that having a single staff member managing air traffic for helicopters and planes is not uncommon and does not violate guidelines.
The day after the crash, on Thursday, divers searched the icy waters of the Potomac River to recover bodies but had to suspend rescue efforts by evening due to hazardous conditions. The American Airlines plane carried 64 passengers traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., while the Army Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on a training mission. So far, 27 bodies have been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter.
During a White House briefing on Thursday, President Donald Trump observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims and expressed condolences to their families. “We can only imagine the immense pain you are enduring. Our hearts break with yours,” Trump said. He speculated that the FAA’s reduced standards for hiring air traffic controllers during the previous Democratic administration might have contributed to the crash, though he provided no evidence to support this claim.
Trump subsequently signed a memorandum to terminate the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program in the aviation sector. The DEI initiative aimed to increase workplace representation from diverse backgrounds. Supporters argue that it addresses historical or ongoing inequalities, but critics contend that it may itself be discriminatory. Trump also signed an executive order to appoint a new FAA chief.
The accident occurred on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. local time (Thursday at 2 a.m. Bangladesh time). American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was a Bombardier CRJ700 jet flying from Wichita to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River. The passenger jet broke into several pieces upon impact, while the helicopter capsized and remained submerged in the river.
Among the passengers on the plane were two young figure skaters, their mother, and two Russian coaches. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that several Russian citizens were on board the flight. “Today’s news from Washington is deeply saddening. We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” Peskov said.
The helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60, was based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion, B Company. Newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called the incident a “tragedy,” emphasizing the devastating loss of 64 civilians aboard the plane and three soldiers in the Black Hawk helicopter.