Deadly aircraft collision investigation continues amid wreckage removal
The Brief
Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the remains of all 67 victims from a midair collision near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport have been recovered.
The removal of wreckage from the Potomac River is ongoing.
Last Wednesday night, American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter collided in midair, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River and killing all 67 aboard.
ARLINGTON, Va. - Officials have confirmed that the remains of all 67 victims from a midair collision near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport have been recovered. The removal of wreckage from the Potomac River is ongoing.
Last Wednesday night, American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter collided in midair, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River. Tragically, all 67 individuals on board were killed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, officials announced the successful recovery of all victims' remains. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is continuing to analyze new data from the crash as part of their ongoing investigation.
The NTSB said they are still working to recover wreckage from the Bombardier CRJ700. The following parts have been recovered:
Right wing
Center fuselage
Part of the left wing and left fuselage
Significant portions of the forward cabin and cockpit
Vertical and horizontal stabilizers
Tail cone
Rudder
Elevators
TCAS computer and quick access recorder
The recovered wreckage will be moved to a secure location for a wreckage layout examination. Two Navy barges are working to raise wreckage from the river. More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at any given time, officials said.
The NTSB says data from Potomac TRACON, which gathers data from multiple radar sensors, showed the Black Hawk was at 300 feet on the air traffic control display at the time of the collision.
"NTSB needs additional information to verify data points from the Black Hawk," the agency said Tuesday. "In order to obtain this information, the Black Hawk needs to be recovered from the water, which is expected to take place later this week."
Officials say investigators are continuing to transcribe the cockpit voice recorders for both aircraft. Synchronization work for the Black Hawk flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is ongoing, they say.
The Source
Information in this article comes from the Associated Press, the National Transportation Safety Board, and FOX 5 reporting.
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