The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States has recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the American Airlines jet that collided with a US Army helicopter near Washington, DC, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board. NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy stated that the agency is committed to leaving no stone unturned in its investigation of the accident, which is the first deadly crash involving a US commercial airliner in over 15 years. President Donald Trump received criticism for suggesting that diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the Federal Aviation Administration may have played a role in the disaster.
Before the crash, air traffic controllers had directed the American Airlines aircraft to land on Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash occurred less than 30 seconds after an air traffic controller inquired whether the helicopter crew could see the approaching plane. This incident was the first deadly incident involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York.
The victims of the crash include former world champion figure skaters, Chinese nationals, a group of friends on a duck-hunting trip, and the crews of both aircraft. The recovery efforts have located about 40 bodies from the Potomac River. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia, just 5 miles away from Washington, DC, making it a popular choice for travelers due to its proximity to the US capital compared to Dulles International Airport, which is further away.
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