Plane crash in DC plane and chopper in Potomac River (Sadly there were NO survivors)

That was certainly a prescient post.

But did they actually try to buy out air traffic controllers specifically?

 

One network is revising it to "recovered" as in bodies. So we now have no reported survivors at the moment

 

Some posts have been deleted. I mean it Isn't instantaneous. Give us time man.

 

One report is saying there was another jet on take off at the same time.....and the helo pilot may have mistaken that jet for the one air traffic controllers were speaking of.....that got hit.

 

ADSB tracking of the flight and helicopter:

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a97753,ae313d

Seeing some reports that the emergency services radio channel for DCA has said that the plane is split in two pieces and submerged in about 7 feet of water in the river off the end of the runway. Fox saying it appears that part of the fuselage of the plane may be caught in the runway light pier and there are reports that the helicopter cockpit may be floating in the river.

 

Also on FNC, apparently plane was asked if it could change runways and it was adjusting to runway 330

 

CNN: Law Enforcement sources are saying no survivors found.

 

It is clear in the video. The departure jet is much higher than the inbound jet and on a different runway, so It seems odd that would be the case.

 

CNN: plane is in multiple pieces in the river

 

Folks on Reddit listening to the emergency response radios say divers reported multiple bodies still strapped into seats in the submerged plane and that conditions are too dangerous to continue recovery efforts from the submerged fuselage until daylight.

 

FNC: transportation secretary Duffy (just got sworn in today) on scene. DCA flight halt until 5am Friday. Apparently 18 bodies recovered. Apparently presser upcoming tonight

Prayers sent. Man this is awful

 

A new video:

 

Video statement from AA’s CEO:
https://news.aa.com/news/news-detai...rding-American-Eagle-Flight-5342/default.aspx

 

Retired ATC here. This is routine, happens dozens of times per hour / per day. Military and general aviation often operate in the same airspace. Without knowing specific local procedures at Reagan for traffic transitioning through or within the airspace, it sounds like flying along the Potomac River is most likely a standardized/approved route for transitioning the airspace. Inevitably, helicopters crossing final or in the departure corridor would be a standard practice, with issuance of traffic advisories to one another and restrictions placed on the helicopters as necessary.

I've listened to the audio, and I struggled to understand the controller at times. Traffic was issued to the Blackhawk about the regional jet, and later again with instructions to "cross behind" the airliner but I didn't hear where traffic was issued to the regional jet about the Blackhawk. Normally, when you issue traffic to one, you provide the same traffic advisory to the other aircraft, "traffic to one is traffic to the other." The audio I listened to didn't have both, hopefully it will later be revealed both aircraft were informed of each other. I also noticed some minor delay / pause in communication by the controller prior to the incident which indicates this or some other issue was a concern to the team in the tower cab.

I have a lot of unanswered questions and want to say a lot, but I don't want to speculate. I do think in the end ATC will share responsibility with the Blackhawk pilot in command bearing most of the fault. I pray for the victims, emergency response and the ATC crew on duty. I'm certain several of the controllers will never be able to control again after witnessing such a horrific accident.

 

I have no idea who might or might not be responsible, and obviously that shouldn’t be our focus during recovery efforts, but that seems like a pretty smart statement.

 

This is a true tragedy. The first (and fleeting) thought that entered my mind was whether the military copter might be one of our secret stealth versions that might not show up on commercial aviation radar. Shortly thereafter I heard of the ATC talking to the copter and saw the video of the fireball. Damn it, I wish no one had to go through this kind of tragedy…Not air crew, passengers, airmen, families, or first responders!

 

Which have nothing to do with the air traffic controllers or their jobs

 

I would say no, most likely some of those that you see on their phones sitting in the corners of the airport, sometimes for hours wasting time

 

I thought I read that the military put out a statement saying it was on a training flight