A chilling audio recording has emerged, detailing the final moments before a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash, which sent both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River, left no survivors and sparked a massive search and rescue operation.
The audio captures the frantic exchanges between air traffic controllers and the pilots. One controller is heard asking the helicopter crew if they have visual contact with the plane, to which the pilot responds affirmatively. However, just seconds later, the tower erupts with gasps and cries as the collision occurs.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the freezing temperatures and strong currents of the Potomac River, which averages 24 feet in depth but reaches up to 107 feet in some areas. Meanwhile, flights at Reagan National Airport were suspended, causing widespread disruptions.
View this post on Instagram
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express his condolences and question the circumstances of the crash. He suggested that better communication from the control tower could have prevented the tragedy.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the audio recordings will be a key piece of evidence. This heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in aviation.
