Federal investigators are working to determine whether the pilots of American Airlines Flight 5342 recognized impending danger just moments before the catastrophic midair collision that resulted in 67 people losing their lives.
The January 29 crash – which took place around 9:00PM ET – involved an American Airlines regional jet en route from Wichita, Kansas, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The collision claimed the lives of all 64 passengers and crew members aboard the plane, as well as three crew members on the helicopter, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in the US in more than two decades.
Among those who lost their lives are 34-year-old Captain Jonathan Campos and his 28-year-old co-pilot First Officer Samuel Lilley.
A Last-Minute Turn—Too Late to Avoid Disaster
New findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveal that Flight 5342 made a sudden turn upward in the seconds before impact — raising the question of whether the pilots saw the helicopter at the last moment.
“I can tell you at one point very close to the impact, there was a slight change in pitch, an increase in pitch,” said Todd Inman, an NTSB investigator.
However, tragically, this last-second maneuver wasn’t enough to avoid disaster.
Flight data recorders show the collision occurred between 300 and 350 feet above the ground — a critical altitude where the Black Hawk helicopter was flying more than 100 feet higher than it was authorized to be, per the New York Times.
Helicopters operating near Reagan National Airport are required to stay within designated altitudes and flight paths to avoid interfering with commercial planes in and out of the busy airspace.
The NTSB is now investigating why the Black Hawk was out of its authorized flight zone.
Victims and Heartbreaking Final Moments
It has also emerged that Campos had been excitedly planning a cruise with his family before his tragic death.
In an interview with MailOnline, his uncle John Lane recalled his final conversation with Campos just before he boarded the ill-fated flight.
“I can’t believe it. He sounded really happy. He was looking forward to going on a cruise next week on the Icon of the Seas, the cruise ship,” Lane said.
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“Ten family members were going to fly to Florida to take the trip with him. It was going to be a big celebration.”
The devastated uncle said that Campos had been “living his dream” as a pilot, and had always been interested in planes since he was a child.
American Airlines Issues Statement
American Airlines released a statement addressing the tragedy and offering support to affected families.
“American Eagle Flight 5342 en-route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA,” the statement read. “The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
“There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
Recovery Efforts Underway
As authorities piece together what led to the fatal collision, a massive crane now looms over the Potomac River, where crews are working to recover large sections of the shattered fuselage of Flight 5342.
The jet, which broke apart upon impact, came to rest upside-down in three pieces, marking the start of a complex retrieval process as investigators continue their work.
The remains of 55 of the 67 victims have been identified, according to a news briefing Sunday, and officials have stated that the recovery of the victims takes “precedence” over the removal of the aircraft.
While officials search for answers, our thoughts continue to go out to every person impacted by this tragedy.
