"Black Hawk, Avoid Passenger Plane" Air Traffic Control Warning Followed by Collision Disaster 30 Seconds Later

Communication Between Controller and Helicopter Confirmed 30 Seconds Before Collision
Controller Also Requested Runway Change for Passenger Plane
Trump: "This Was a Preventable Accident... Raises Possibility of Human Error"

A collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the U.S. capital, Washington DC. It has been revealed that just before the accident, the air traffic controller repeatedly warned the helicopter pilot to confirm whether they had seen the landing passenger plane, intensifying controversy over the cause of the accident.

Rescue teams searching for the crashed aircraft and survivors in the Potomac River, Washington, USA. Photo by Getty Images, Yonhap News.

On the 30th (local time), CNN released communication records from the time of the accident through 'LiveATC,' which provides real-time air traffic control communications.

According to the disclosed data, the Ronald Reagan Airport air traffic controller repeatedly asked the pilot of the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter (PAT 2-5), "Do you see the landing passenger plane?" The controller then instructed, "PAT 2-5, pass behind the CRJ (passenger plane)."

The helicopter pilot responded, "I see the passenger plane. Requesting visual separation," but less than 13 seconds later, communication was lost. Immediately afterward, the control tower was heard exclaiming "oooh" followed by heavy breathing.

The passenger plane was confirmed to be a CRJ700 model operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, which collided with the Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Airport. After the collision, both aircraft crashed into the nearby Potomac River.

According to the Associated Press, the controller asked the helicopter pilot if they had seen the passenger plane 30 seconds before the accident occurred. Immediately after the accident, the controller informed other aircraft entering the airport, "A collision has occurred. Airport operations will be suspended for the time being."

Additionally, it was revealed that the passenger plane had accepted a request to land on a new runway (Runway 33) just minutes before landing.

Rescue teams searching for the crashed aircraft and survivors in the Potomac River, Washington, USA. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News.

While adjusting its course for landing, the plane was flying at about 122 meters altitude at 225 km/h when it experienced a sudden altitude drop. The passenger plane's last radio transmission was cut off over the Potomac River approximately 730 meters from the runway.

After the accident, former U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticized the cause on his social media platform 'Truth Social,' stating, "This was a bad situation that should have been prevented. It's not good."

He pointed out, "The passenger plane was on a regular landing path, and the helicopter had been flying straight in that direction for a long time," adding, "It was a clear night and the plane's lights were bright, so why didn't the helicopter avoid it?"

He continued, "Instead of simply asking the helicopter pilot 'What do you see?' the control tower should have given precise instructions," highlighting issues with the control system.

Footage released by U.S. media captured the moment the passenger plane and helicopter collided midair, causing a large fireball. Authorities are currently conducting nighttime search operations in the Potomac River. The survival status of all 67 passengers aboard both the passenger plane and helicopter has not yet been confirmed.