Investigators are searching for answers after a deadly crash in Washington DC involving a passenger plane and a military helicopter. The crash, which happened near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, is feared to have killed 67 people.
What Happened?
- A twin-engine passenger plane was landing at the airport when it was hit by a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.
- The helicopter had three soldiers on board and was on a training flight.
- The plane caught fire and crashed into the Potomac River.
- Security footage showed the crash and the explosion in the sky.
Possible Causes of the Crash
Experts believe the crash could have been caused by one of these reasons:
- Mechanical Failure: Something may have gone wrong with the helicopter.
- Human Error: The pilots may not have seen each other in time.
- Training Exercise Issue: The helicopter crew may have been practicing with some systems turned off.
Why Didn’t They Avoid the Crash?
- Air traffic control and the helicopter crew knew the plane was nearby.
- The plane had landing lights and was clearly visible.
- The helicopter did not change direction or height to avoid the plane.
- Investigators are trying to understand why the helicopter did not react.
The Black Boxes
- Only one black box from the plane has been found so far.
- Black boxes store important flight data and will help explain what went wrong.
- Investigators are searching for more black boxes in the Potomac River.
What’s Next?
Officials are working to find answers quickly. They want to make sure other military aircraft do not have similar problems. Until the black boxes are fully examined, experts can only guess what caused the crash.
