NTSB: Conflicting Altimeter Data Retrieved After Midair Collision Near Washington

The Epoch Times Header

The control tower data for the Black Hawk helicopter have revealed a significant discrepancy in altitude readings, investigators say.

Investigators have found conflicting altimeter readings from the control tower data of the Black Hawk military helicopter and the passenger jet that collided over Washington on Jan. 29.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials told reporters on Feb. 1 that preliminary altimeter data do not match the events on the night of the deadly accident.

Officials said the control tower recorded the Black Hawk helicopter flying at an altitude of 200 feet at the time of the collision, in line with its maximum allowed altitude for its flight path.

However, data from the passenger jet’s flight recorder show the collision occurred at an altitude of about 325 feet, plus or minus 25 feet.

“That’s what our job is, to figure that out,” NTSB member J. Todd Inman said during an evening news conference on Feb. 1.

Investigators hope to reconcile the altitude differences with data from the helicopter’s black box, which is taking more time to retrieve because it became waterlogged after it plunged into the Potomac River. They also said they plan to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.

Investigators are also focusing on the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control, which has in recent years been struggling with shortages in manpower under the management of the Federal Aviation Administration.

A Clear Night to Fly

On the evening of Jan. 29 at about 9 p.m., a regional passenger jet was hit by an Army helicopter that was flying on a routine “annual proficiency training flight” under clear skies; 67 people died. The training was to practice routes to be used to evacuate key government officials if needed during an attack or major catastrophe.

American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, with 64 people on board, was descending to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport along a known landing route. The Army Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board who Army officials have said were highly experienced and also familiar with the congested skies around the airport.

By Melanie Sun

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

Opinion

Watch: UNREAL PR Disaster Erupts at DNC Summit

The DNC Summit event, intended to showcase liberal and loving Unity™ Through Diversity™, or something to that effect, clearly did not go as planned.

Trump’s Terrifying Yet Terrific Trade Tariffs

President Trump is putting trade tariffs on Canada, Mexico,...

Tulsi vs. The Duopolistic Blob: Senate Showdown Notes

“He who joyfully marches to music rank and file...

Canada Throws Temper Tantrum Over Tariffs

Trump followed through on his promise to tariff Canada and Mexico if they won't stop the flow of drugs and illegal aliens coming over borders by signing an EO.

And the Philadelphia Air Disaster Makes 4 in a Week

We've had 4 air disasters in a week after a record of no incidents since February 12, 2009. when a flight out of Newark, NJ crashed near Buffalo, NY, killing 50 people?

News

Panama Canal Negotiations in Focus as Rubio Visits Central America

SoS Marco Rubio kicked off his trip to Latin America, arriving in Panama on Feb. 1, with a focus on the Panama Canal and China’s intrusion into the zone.

Trump Says Venezuela Agreed to Take Illegal Immigrants Back, Pay for Transportation

Trump said Venezuela has agreed to receive all Venezuelan illegal immigrants arrested inside the US and provide for their transportation to their home country.

Joshua Macias Is The VetVoice

Chairman of the Veterans for Trump Coalition, Joshua Macias,...

Trump Says Deal Reached to Delay Tariffs on Mexico for 1 Month

Trump and Mexican President Sheinbaum announced they reached a deal to delay 25% U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods that were due to take effect Feb. 4, 2025.

FBI Captures Fugitive on 10 Most Wanted List

A fugitive accused of murdering his wife shortly after marriage has been apprehended from Mexico, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

McDonald’s to Open Latino Scholarship Program to Non-Latino Applicants

McDonald’s has agreed to stop accepting only Latinos into a scholarship program, as part of a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the program was discriminatory.

Musk Says Trump Has Agreed to Shut Down USAID

Officials are shutting down a federal agency called the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with President Trump’s blessing, Elon Musk said.

CISA, FDA Issue Warning Over Backdoor in China’s Contec Patient Monitors

Patient monitor made by Chinese manufacturer Contec contains a backdoor that could allow an attacker to access patient data and remotely manipulate the devices.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_img