NTSB Animation Reveals Cause of Deadly DC Helicopter-Plane Mid-Air Collision

The Collision Event

• 💥 On January 29th, 2025, a Sorski UH60 Lima helicopter operated by the US Army and a PSA Airlines CRJ700 collided in flight near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
• fatalities resulted from the crash, including the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers on the airplane, along with all three crew members on the helicopter.

Flight Paths and Regulations

• 🚁 The military helicopter was on an annual evaluation flight using night vision goggles, originating from Davidson Army Airfield.
• ✈️ The PSA Airlines flight was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington DC.
• 🗺️ Helicopter routes, depicted by blue lines, have maximum altitude limits, with specific restrictions varying by location south of Memorial Bridge to the Wilson Bridge, the maximum altitude was 200 ft.

Air Traffic Control Communications

• 📞 The Army helicopter (PAT25) requested to travel along a designated route, which was approved by the DCA local controller.
• ⚠️ The accident airplane (Blue Streak 5342) was cleared for an approach to DCA.
• 🔊 The local controller twice advised the helicopter crew about conflicting traffic on approach, and both times the crew reported having the traffic in sight and requested to maintain visual separation, which was approved.

Animation and Visual Evidence

• 🎬 The NTSB released an animation illustrating the movements and altitudes of both aircraft in the final three minutes before the collision.
• 📸 A video recorded from near runway 33 shows the aircraft lights against the city lighting, with flight 5342 approaching runway 33 and PAT25 appearing from the left.