Following the tragic midair collision of a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Reagan National Airport, Senator Tammy Duckworth is calling for patience and a thorough investigation as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) work to determine the cause of the crash.
Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and former Black Hawk pilot, is uniquely positioned to provide insight into the incident and has already requested key information, including transcripts of air traffic control communications and the flight paths of both aircraft.
Sen. Duckworth Seeks Key Flight Data
In an interview with CBS News’ Nikole Killion on Thursday, Duckworth revealed that she has asked for:
- A transcript of the communications between air traffic controllers and the helicopter crew
- The exact flight paths of both the helicopter and the plane leading up to the collision
“What I did learn was that air traffic control did contact and speak with the helicopter crew twice, and they acknowledged the instructions twice,” Duckworth said. She emphasized that understanding the instructions given and how they were followed will be key to determining what went wrong.
Understanding the Special Flight Restricted Area (SFRA)
The collision occurred in the Special Flight Restricted Area (SFRA), a 30-nautical-mile airspace surrounding Washington, D.C., with strict rules due to the area’s proximity to sensitive government buildings and high air traffic. Within this zone is the Flight-Restricted Zone (FRZ), which includes Reagan National Airport.
Duckworth stressed that only highly trained military pilots are allowed to fly in this area, highlighting the level of experience expected from the Black Hawk crew. “You don’t get to fly in that without additional flight training,” she explained.
What Would the Crew Have Been Doing?
Duckworth provided a detailed breakdown of how the Black Hawk crew would have been operating at the time of the flight:
- Pilot duties split: One pilot would have been responsible for physically flying the helicopter, managing the direction, speed, and power, while the other pilot communicated with air traffic control.
- Situational awareness: Both pilots and the crew chief in the back would have been scanning for nearby aircraft, conveying information to ensure safety.
- Listening to air traffic control: The crew would be monitoring instructions not only for their own helicopter but also for other nearby aircraft, to maintain awareness of their surroundings.
“The crew would have been listening to the air traffic controller talking to other aircraft, so that you have situational awareness of everything else that’s going on,” Duckworth added.
Flying Low Above the Potomac: The Helicopter’s Ceiling Limit
Duckworth confirmed that the Black Hawk was flying under strict altitude limits within the restricted area, which she referred to as a “hard deck” of 200 feet above mean sea level. This low altitude would have placed the helicopter just above the Potomac River.
“The helicopter crew would have been flying pretty low,” she said, while also scanning the night sky for nearby aircraft.
Night-Vision Goggles Not Used
When asked if the crew should have been wearing night-vision goggles (NVGs), Duckworth explained that they were not necessary in this situation due to the amount of ambient light in the area.
“With that much ambient light, they were on visual flight rules, and they were operating well within the parameters for which they have been trained, and the aircraft was designed to operate in,” Duckworth said.
Visibility Differences Between Helicopter and Airplane
Duckworth highlighted a key difference in visibility between the two aircraft involved in the collision:
- The Black Hawk crew had a wide field of vision, thanks to the plexiglass design of the cockpit. The pilots could see in all directions, including above and below them.
- The American Airlines jet, by contrast, had limited visibility, particularly when landing. “They don’t have the same visibility … as the helicopter would have had,” Duckworth said. The plane’s crew would have been focused on their approach to the runway.
Was the Collision an Elevation Issue?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the collision as an “elevation issue,” while President Trump suggested the helicopter could have moved either up or down to avoid the plane. Duckworth cautioned against such speculation.
“We have to let the NTSB and FAA do their jobs,” she said. “Neither the president nor Mr. Hegseth are pilots, as far as I know, and I think that amateur speculation is not what is needed at this point.”
Next Steps in the Investigation
Duckworth’s expertise as a former Black Hawk pilot will provide valuable input as investigators review:
- Air traffic control instructions and whether they were followed properly
- The altitude and speed of both aircraft
- Visibility conditions on the night of the collision
The flight recorders (black boxes) from both the helicopter and the plane have already been recovered and will play a crucial role in uncovering the events leading up to the crash.
As speculation mounts over what caused the tragic collision, Duckworth’s emphasis on a methodical, evidence-based investigation highlights the importance of avoiding premature conclusions.
Her deep understanding of military aviation makes her an influential voice in ensuring that lessons are learned and that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
“I’m confident that we will get answers,” Duckworth said, urging patience while experts analyze the available data.