Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed on Friday that the black boxes from the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the recent collision with an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan National Airport have not been retrieved yet.
Hegseth mentioned that the helicopter crew was undergoing night flight training, which included the use of night vision goggles. However, it remains unclear whether the goggles were in use at the time of the incident.
He highlighted the potential challenges posed by the surrounding ambient light and activities near Reagan Airport, suggesting that these factors could have led to issues with depth perception. Hegseth emphasized that these observations are speculative and that further investigation is necessary to ascertain the exact circumstances.
The Secretary of Defense also pointed out that the investigation is focusing on determining the altitude of the aircraft involved in the collision. He stated that it is crucial to establish whether the Black Hawk was flying at an incorrect altitude or deviated from its designated course. At present, definitive conclusions regarding the altitude discrepancies have not been reached.
As the search for the black boxes continues and the investigation progresses, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic collision. The recovery of the flight data recorders is expected to provide crucial insights into the sequence of events and factors contributing to the incident.
Efforts are underway to gather all available information and data to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the collision and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The thorough investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the collision and enhance safety measures to safeguard aviation operations in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport.
