Data from the flight recorder reveals the American Airlines jet pilots tried to raise the nose of the plane in the final seconds before the fatal collision with a Black Hawk helicopter. The NTSB is investigating conflicting altitude readings, aiming to shed light on the cause of the crash.
The doomed American Airlines jet's heroic pilots made a desperate attempt to save their passengers in the final moments before the fatal collision with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. Preliminary data from the plane's flight recorder revealed that Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 28, tried to raise the aircraft's nose just seconds before Wednesday's crash.
'At one point, very close to the impact, there was a slight change in pitch, an increase in pitch,' stated NTSB member Todd Inman during a press conference Saturday night. The NTSB also revealed that preliminary data showed conflicting readings regarding the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter. Data from the jet's flight recorder indicated its altitude was 325ft, with a margin of error of plus or minus 25ft, at the time of the crash, Inman explained to reporters. However, data from the control tower displayed the Black Hawk at 200ft. The discrepancy remains unexplained, but if the impact occurred at 325ft, it would have taken place well above the maximum allowed altitude of 200ft for helicopters in the area. Investigators currently lack the readout from the Black Hawk's flight recorder, preventing them from providing information about its altitude during the collision. Inman emphasized, 'Obviously, an impact occurred, and I would say when an impact occurs, that is typically where the altitude of both aircraft were at the moment.'First responders confirmed on Sunday that 55 out of the 67 victims of America's deadliest crash since 2001 have been identified. Authorities are scheduled to conduct a 'lifting operation' on Monday to remove the wreckage from the river. Investigators are hopeful of reconciling the altitude discrepancy with data from the helicopter's black box and plan to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable. 'This is a complex investigation,' investigator in charge Brice Banning stated. 'There are a lot of pieces here.' Banning added that the jet's cockpit voice recorder captured sounds moments before the crash. 'The crew had a verbal reaction,' Banning said. The flight data recorder showed 'the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.' Full investigations typically take a year or more. Investigators anticipate releasing a preliminary report within 30 days. Inman shared that he has spent countless hours meeting with victims' families. 'Some wanted to give us hugs. Some are just mad and angry,' Inman said. 'They are just all hurt. And they still want answers, and we want to give them answers.
American Airlines Helicopter Crash Potomac River NTSB Black Hawk Flight Recorder Collision Investigation
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