On January 29, 2025, a midair collision over Washington, D.C., killed sixty-seven people, involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Investigations revealed unusual maneuvers by both aircraft and potential airspace violations.
The Black Hawk may have flown above its permitted altitude and deviated from its path. One air traffic controller was responsible for managing both aircraft, possibly contributing to the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported sudden changes in the plane’s trajectory, and air traffic control audio captured the moments before impact. The Black Hawk was on a training mission at the time.
Recovery efforts continue as investigators focus on whether the helicopter’s altitude violation and air traffic control staffing played key roles in the disaster. The NTSB is analyzing the aircraft’s black boxes.
