Animated Video of D.C. Plane Crash: Federal Investigators Detail Midair Collision

Midair Collision Overview

• 💥 On January 29th, 2025, a US Army helicopter and a PSA Airlines jet collided in flight near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), resulting in 70 fatalities.
• ✈️ The helicopter, a Sikorsky UH-60 Lima, was on an annual evaluation flight, while the airplane was a scheduled passenger flight from Wichita, Kansas.
• 🌃 The accident occurred under night visual meteorological conditions.

Air Traffic Control and Communication

• 📻 The investigation includes recordings of air traffic control instructions and communications between the aircraft.
• 🗺️ The helicopter was operating under specific FAA-defined routes with altitude limits, while the airplane was cleared for an approach to runway 33.
• ⚠️ The local controller twice advised the helicopter crew of conflicting traffic, but the crew reported having visual contact and requested to maintain visual separation, which was approved.

Animated Reconstruction of Events

• 🎬 Federal investigators presented an 11-minute animated video summarizing the event, including flight tracks, air traffic control communications, and cockpit communications.
• 🚁 The animation depicted the positions and altitudes of both aircraft in the final three minutes before the collision.
• 🌃 An airport security video captured the aircraft in flight leading up to the collision.

Investigation and Future Prevention

• 🔍 Congressional hearings are underway to provide a clearer picture of the events leading up to the collision.
• 📝 Investigators aim to discuss steps that can be taken to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
• 📊 A final report pinpointing the cause of the collision is expected next year.