The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a three-day investigative hearing July 30 through Aug. 1 on the Jan. 29 mid-air collision between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jetliner and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers aboard the airplane, operated as American Airlines Flight 5342, were killed, along with the helicopter’s three crew members.
Click here to watch the hearing
The NTSB conducts investigative hearings to assist in obtaining information necessary to determine the facts and circumstances of transportation accidents or incidents under investigation.
WHAT: An NTSB investigative hearing on the Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky UH-60 Military Helicopter.
WHO: NTSB Board members, investigative staff, scheduled witnesses, and parties to the hearing.
WHEN: July 30-August 1
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. eastern time (ET)
- 9-10: Opening Statements
- 10-2: Panel 1 Overviews of Accidents Helicopter's Air Data Systems and Altimeters
- 2-2:45: Lunch Break
- 2:45-6:30: Panel 2: Overview of the DCA Class B Airspace and Helicopter Routes
- 6:30-7: Closing / Adjourn
Thursday, July 31, 2025, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
- 9-10: Opening Statements
- 10-2: Panel 3 Training, Guidance and Procedures Applicable to DCA Air Traffic Control
- 2-2:45: Lunch Break
- 2:25-6:30: Panel 4: Overview of Collision Avoidance Technology
- 6:30-7: Closing / Adjourn
Friday, August 1, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
- 9-9:15:Opening Statements
- 9:15-1:30: Panel 5 Safety Data and Safety Managments Systems (SMSs) at the Various Organizations
- 1:30-2:00: Closing / Adjourn