A US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air with an American Airlines passenger plane, sending both aircraft into the icy Potomac River on Wednesday night.

The crash occurred just seconds before the passenger jet, carrying 64 people, was set to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The helicopter, with a crew of three, was conducting a night training exercise originating from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The exact cause of the collision remains unknown, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it has recovered the black boxes—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—from both aircraft.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.

Authorities hope the recordings will help determine whether human error, equipment failure, or a combination of factors led to the crash.

The incident occurred within Washington, D.C.’s highly restricted airspace, designed to protect national security landmarks, including the White House, the Pentagon, and other key government sites.

The airspace is heavily monitored, with stringent safety regulations in place for both civilian and military flights.

Aviation experts describe this zone as one of the most controlled and secure in the world.

Jim Brachle, an aviation attorney with experience handling cases involving Reagan National Airport, highlighted the complexity of the area’s air traffic, where commercial, private, and military flights often share limited and narrow pathways.

He noted that helicopters frequently operate near final approach routes for planes, making precise coordination critical.

The Black Hawk helicopter reportedly had the passenger plane in sight before the collision, but investigators are examining why visual separation failed.

Audio recordings of the communication between the helicopter and air traffic controllers indicate that the helicopter pilot acknowledged the presence of the passenger jet and was instructed to pass behind it.

Moments later, the crash occurred.

Jeff Guzzetti, a former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB investigator, confirmed that controllers were in contact with the helicopter before the collision.

Investigators will now focus on whether the helicopter pilot correctly identified the plane’s position and trajectory.

The Black Hawk, part of the 12th Aviation Battalion, was equipped with a transponder designed to alert other aircraft to its position.

Officials are reviewing whether the transponder and other onboard safety systems were functioning as expected.

Philip Butterworth-Hayes, an aviation consultant, explained that incidents like this often involve multiple failures, including breakdowns in radar detection, communication, and flight path management.

The area’s airspace operates under overlapping civilian and military control, with separate procedures for helicopters, commercial aircraft, and government planes.

Experts note that this intersection of aviation systems increases the risk of miscommunication or procedural errors.

Todd Inman, a member of the NTSB board, described Washington, D.C. as a unique environment with specific flight corridors for helicopters.

The helicopter’s altitude at the time of the collision is under investigation.

The last major fatal crash involving a commercial plane in the United States was in February 2009. Aviation experts stress that mid-air collisions in controlled airspace are rare due to the extensive safety measures in place.

However, officials have acknowledged that Reagan National Airport’s proximity to the Potomac River and intersecting helicopter routes presents unique challenges.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the helicopter’s crew was experienced and participating in routine night flight training.

The exercise is part of an annual program aimed at ensuring pilots are proficient in operating in low-visibility conditions and congested airspace.

Cedric Leighton, a retired US Air Force colonel, emphasized that military pilots undergo rigorous training to navigate D.C.’s complex airspace and avoid conflicts.

Radar footage obtained by CBS News showed both the helicopter and the passenger plane clearly visible on controllers’ screens before the collision.

The recordings will be crucial in identifying any deviations from standard procedures.

Aviation attorney Brachle noted that Reagan National’s location along the river, combined with intersecting helicopter routes, often requires precise timing and coordination to prevent aircraft from occupying the same space.

The NTSB investigation will explore all possible factors, including weather conditions, pilot actions, and mechanical systems.

Experts also plan to examine whether either aircraft deviated from their assigned flight paths or if new procedures were being tested during the helicopter’s training mission.

Aviation consultant Butterworth-Hayes emphasized that multiple safety systems, including radar, transponders, and air traffic control directives, should have been sufficient to prevent the collision.

The incident has raised questions about whether improvements in traffic flow management or additional safeguards are needed in heavily monitored airspaces.

Authorities continue to investigate, with recovery and analysis efforts underway.

The findings are expected to shape future safety protocols for high-risk air corridors, particularly those in major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C.