On January 30, 2025, a tragic collision occurred between American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter above the Potomac River, marking a serious incident involving one of the busiest runways in the U.S., Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Air traffic control captured recordings during the moments before the collision, indicating a potential deviation from the helicopter's approved flight path. Eyewitness accounts from controllers reported fireballs after the crash, illustrating the gravity of the situation. The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated numerous incidents at the airport this century, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
Air traffic control recordings appear to capture the final attempted communications with the helicopter, call sign PAT25, before it collided with the jet.
I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river, an air traffic controller says.
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