According to Daily Mail, Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 28, attempted to increase their aircraft's pitch moments before Wednesday's fatal crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives near DC's Reagan Washington National Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary investigation revealed conflicting altitude readings between the airliner and the helicopter. While the jet's flight recorder showed an altitude of 325 feet with a 25-foot margin of error, control tower data indicated the Black Hawk was flying at 200 feet, raising questions about compliance with local aviation regulations.
Flight recorder data reveals crucial moments before impact
NTSB member Todd Inman shared details from the investigation during Saturday night's press conference. The data showed the pilots' desperate attempt to avoid collision by adjusting the plane's nose upward in the final seconds. This action, though valiant, proved insufficient to prevent the crash.
First responders have successfully identified 55 of the 67 victims in what has become America's deadliest aviation disaster since 2001. Recovery efforts continue with over 300 responders working at any given time, supported by two Navy barges deployed for lifting heavy wreckage.
The investigator in charge, Brice Banning, confirmed the presence of verbal reactions from the crew in the cockpit voice recorder. He described the sequence of events, noting that impact sounds were recorded approximately one second after the pitch adjustment.
Investigation reveals complex factors in midair collision
The discrepancy in altitude readings between the aircraft remains a critical focus of the investigation. If the impact occurred at 325 feet, it would indicate the Black Hawk was operating well above its maximum permitted altitude of 200 feet in that area.
NTSB officials emphasized the complexity of the investigation, noting they have yet to analyze data from the Black Hawk's black box. The investigation team plans to refine tower data, which can be less reliable than onboard flight recorders.
Inman reported emotional meetings with victims' families, saying:
Some wanted to give us hugs. Some are just mad and angry. They are all hurt. And they still want answers, and we want to give them answers.
Recovery efforts continue as families gather at the crash site
Divers are working in challenging conditions to recover remains and wreckage from the Potomac River. One diver was treated for hypothermia due to the frigid water temperatures. The recovery team employs high-definition cameras with multiple monitors to ensure a thorough examination of the wreckage.
The victims included 64 passengers and crew aboard the American Airlines jet and three soldiers in the Army Black Hawk helicopter. Among the passengers were figure skaters returning from the 2025 US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita and a group of hunters returning from a guided trip.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into staffing levels at Reagan Airport's control tower. Reports indicate that one controller was handling both helicopter and plane traffic, with duties typically divided between two people during peak hours.
Final moments shape aviation disaster investigation
The tragic collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred during what should have been a routine landing approach to Reagan Washington National Airport. The experienced flight crew's final actions to prevent the crash highlight the split-second decisions pilots must make in emergency situations. As investigators continue their work, they focus on understanding the altitude discrepancy and tower staffing issues that may have contributed to America's deadliest aviation disaster in over two decades.
