369 Reagan Midair: CVR and FDR Data Revealed at NTSB Press Conference
Aviation News Talk podcast
Glass Cockpit Publishing
4.8 • 730 Ratings
🗓️ 15 February 2025
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The NTSB held a press conference to provide preliminary findings from the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) related to the January 29 midair collision near Reagan National Airport between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ regional jet. The Black Hawk was conducting a checkride with night vision goggles and was following FAA-designated helicopter routes. The CRJ was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 33.
The investigation revealed discrepancies in altitude readings from the Black Hawk’s instruments, raising concerns about possible erroneous altimeter data. At 8:47:40 PM, the CRJ received an automated traffic advisory, and the tower instructed the Black Hawk to pass behind the CRJ. However, due to a transmission overlap, the Black Hawk may not have received the full instruction. Seconds later, the aircraft collided at approximately 313 feet altitude.
The NTSB is conducting a visibility study, examining night vision goggle effects, air traffic control communications, and ADS-B transmission issues. The agency commended the FAA’s temporary helicopter flight restrictions but has not determined if permanent changes are necessary. The full investigation is ongoing, with additional findings expected in the final report.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello again, and welcome to a newsmaker's edition where we talk about people making the news. |
| 0:06.8 | Earlier today, the NTSB held a press conference in Washington in which they discussed new |
| 0:11.5 | information they've learned from their analysis of the flight data recorders and cockpit voice |
| 0:16.0 | recorders from a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines regional jet that collided over the Potomac River two weeks ago. |
| 0:24.2 | This episode includes the full audio from that press conference, including questions asked by reporters. |
| 0:29.8 | A particular note are some discrepancies among the different altitude measuring devices aboard the helicopter. |
| 0:35.8 | So please stick around because this newsmaker's edition |
| 0:38.3 | starts now. Hello again and welcome to Aviation News Talk where we talk in general aviation. |
| 0:47.0 | My name is Max Truscott. I've been flying for 50 years. I'm the author of several books and the 2008 |
| 0:51.6 | National Flight Instructor of the Year, and my mission is to help you become the safest possible pilot. Earlier this week in episode 368, we talked with NBC |
| 1:00.7 | analysts and former NTSB investigator Jeff Gazetti about the NTSB's accident investigation |
| 1:07.3 | process in relation to the D.C. Midair collision. And we had a few listeners email |
| 1:12.3 | to say that this is one of our best interviews ever. So if you didn't hear that episode, |
| 1:16.4 | you may want to check it out at AviationNewsdok.com slash 368. And if you're new to the show, |
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| 1:45.2 | And if you'd like to hear your name next week, sign up right now to support the show by going to |
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