Summary
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a hearing about the midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. All 67 people on board both aircraft were killed. Key issues discussed included possible altimeter errors and air traffic control pressures.
Key Facts
- The collision occurred in January near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
- Both the American Airlines jet and the Black Hawk helicopter were involved.
- All 67 people on board both the plane and the helicopter died in the crash.
- The Black Hawk's altimeter may have given an incorrect altitude reading.
- Incorrect altimeter readings were described as not unusual by Army representatives.
- Barometric altimeters use air pressure to estimate altitude while radar altimeters measure the distance from the ground.
- Air traffic controllers at the airport faced high pressure to manage traffic flow safely.
