On January 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter
near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The plane, carrying 64 passengers, was attempting
to land, and the helicopter was conducting a training mission. Tragically, no one survived,
Data from the plane’s black box showed that pilots Jonathan Campos and co-pilot Sam Lilley made
a last-minute attempt to pull the plane up before impact. The plane was at 325 feet when it
collided with the helicopter, which was at about 200 feet, near its maximum safe altitude.
The helicopter’s black box, retrieved but waterlogged, may help clarify the altitude discrepancies.
Recovery teams are still working to recover all the bodies. The investigation continues.
