NTSB Preliminary Report: Mid-Air Collision Over Potomac River

Preliminary Findings on Mid-Air Collision

• ✈️ The NTSB has issued a preliminary report on the mid-air collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and PSA Airlines flight 5342 over the Potomac River on January 29th.
• ⚠️ This report contains only validated facts and does not include analysis, which will come later in the investigation.
• 🚁 The Black Hawk's flight recorder has issues, with invalid pressure altitude data and inconsistencies that may have affected other helicopter systems.

Urgent Safety Recommendations Issued

• 🚨 Two urgent safety recommendations have been sent to the FAA concerning helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport (DCA) to prevent similar accidents.
• 📈 Analysis of voluntary safety reports from 2011-2024 shows a high frequency of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) resolution advisories triggered by helicopter proximity to commercial aircraft near DCA.
• 🌃 Over two-thirds of these reported encounters occurred at night, and in over half the cases, the helicopter may have been operating above its designated altitude restriction.

DCA Airspace Risks and Proposed Solutions

• 📊 Between October 2021 and December 2024, there were over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial airplanes and helicopters near DCA.
• ⚠️ A specific concern is the insufficient separation distance between helicopters on Route 4 and aircraft landing on Runway 33, posing an intolerable risk.
• 🚫 The NTSB recommends permanently prohibiting helicopter operations on Route 4 between Haines Point and the Wilson Bridge when Runways 15 and 33 are in use.
• 🗺️ An alternative helicopter route should be designated to facilitate travel when this segment of Route 4 is closed.

Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps

• 🔬 The investigation will include simulations in various simulators (Black Hawk, CRJ, ATC Tower) using accident inputs and conditions.
• 👁️ A comprehensive visibility study for both aircraft and tower operations under night conditions will be conducted.
• 🛠️ Further interviews and examination of electronic systems, including altimeters and ADS-B, are planned.

Addressing Air Traffic Control and Safety Culture

• 🧑‍✈️ The report notes that five controllers were on duty, with some positions combined, and this aspect is under investigation.
• ⚠️ The NTSB emphasizes that while aviation is generally safe, areas for improvement exist, and their role is to investigate and recommend actions to achieve zero accidents.
• 🗣️ The NTSB is pleased that the FAA is already reviewing other airports nationwide for similar safety issues.