On Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. CST, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will host a media briefing to provide updates on its ongoing investigation into a tragic mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The incident, which occurred on January 29, 2025, involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly a quarter century.
The collision took place over the Potomac River, claiming 67 lives and prompting immediate scrutiny of air traffic control protocols, altitude data, and potential equipment malfunctions.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy will lead today’s briefing at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, where she is expected to share the latest findings from the investigation. The event will be open to credentialed media and live-streamed for the public via the NTSB’s YouTube channel, with an ASL interpreter present to ensure accessibility.
Preliminary reports indicate the American Airlines CRJ-700, departing from Wichita, Kansas, was at approximately 325 feet at the time of impact, while the Black Hawk may have exceeded its 200-foot flight ceiling.
Investigators are examining flight data discrepancies, possible altimeter issues, and a potential miscommunication with Potomac TRACON, the air traffic control facility managing the airspace. Maintenance records and cockpit voice recorder transcriptions for both aircraft are also under review.
The NTSB has emphasized that today’s briefing will offer new insights but not a final conclusion, as the investigation could take 12 to 24 months to complete.
The Federal Aviation Administration has already restricted helicopter traffic near DCA pending the investigation’s outcome, reflecting the urgency of understanding what went wrong.
Stay tuned for updates as we cover this developing story and the NTSB’s efforts to uncover the cause of this devastating tragedy.