Safety in the Skies: NTSB Investigates Deadly Helicopter-Jet Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board is set to begin a comprehensive three-day investigative hearing, starting on July 30, delving into the tragic January collision involving a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, which led to the loss of 67 lives near Reagan Washington National Airport. The hearing will also unveil thousands of pages of records from the investigation.

The NTSB aims to scrutinize the Army Black Hawk helicopter's air data systems and altimeters, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of Washington airspace and air traffic. This hearing, spanning 25 hours over three days, will involve input from FAA, Army, and airline representatives, poised to shed light on the deadliest U.S. aviation crash in over two decades.

Triggered by recent concerns over close encounters involving Army helicopters, the FAA has already implemented stricter regulations, shrinking the operational area for helicopters and enforcing permanent restrictions on non-essential operations. An FAA Army memorandum of understanding for resuming flights near the Pentagon is still under negotiation.

(With inputs from agencies.)