Air Traffic Control Audio Reveals Moments Leading Up to Washington Midair Collision (Update)
Air traffic control audio captures the final moments before and after a tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., leading to a fiery crash into the Potomac River.
A chilling air traffic control recording has captured the final moments before and after a devastating midair collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
The recording, sourced from LiveATC.net, a widely respected platform for in-flight communications, details the last exchanges between air traffic controllers and the three crew members aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, call sign PAT25, just moments before impact with the CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew.
Final Communications Before Impact
At exactly 8:47 p.m. ET (01:47 GMT Thursday), an air traffic controller issued a critical directive:
“PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ.”
Mere seconds later, an unidentified pilot’s voice broke through the radio waves with an ominous inquiry:
“Tower, did you see that?”
It was an immediate reference to the unfolding disaster, prompting controllers to take swift action, diverting incoming aircraft from runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport.
Also Read: Black Hawk Helicopter Collides with Passenger Jet Near D.C.
Explosion Over the Potomac
Eyewitness accounts and air traffic control transmissions indicate the crash occurred over the frigid Potomac River, igniting a fiery explosion that sent debris hurtling into the waters below.
A dispatcher’s voice punctuated the crisis:
“Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three.”
Another air traffic controller, providing real-time updates, relayed the grim news:
“I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach into 33. We’re going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future.”
In a tense exchange, a third controller confirmed the worst:
“Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.”
A stunned observer in the tower added:
“It was probably out in the middle of the river. I just saw a fireball, and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit.”
Also Read: Deadly U.S. Airline Crashes: A Look Back at Tragic Aviation Disasters
Caught on Camera: The Fiery Impact
The moment of impact was captured on a live webcam at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The footage reveals the aircraft engulfed in flames before plummeting into the river, marking a harrowing scene in the nation’s capital.
Investigators are now combing through the wreckage and flight data to determine the exact sequence of events leading to this catastrophic collision. Authorities have yet to release official statements regarding casualties or possible causes.
As aviation experts analyze the air traffic recordings and flight patterns, the tragedy underscores the critical importance of precision in midair navigation and communication. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to piece together the final moments before disaster strikes.
Source: (Reuters)
(Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Details may change as new reports emerge. Readers are encouraged to refer to official sources for the latest updates.)