Investigators from the National Transportation Board are diligently working this week to determine the cause of the recent collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The NTSB has assured the public that they will conduct the investigation with accuracy and thoroughness.
The parties involved in the investigation include PSA Airlines, the regional carrier for American Airlines; Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the Black Hawk helicopter; and NATCA, the union representing air traffic controllers, among others. Various groups within the NTSB will focus on different aspects of the incident, such as operations, structures, power plants, systems, air traffic control, survival factors, helicopter, and human performance.
The NTSB will analyze the human, machine, and environmental factors involved in the collision, as is standard practice in their investigations. The agency has already recovered the black boxes, cockpit voice recorder, and flight data recorder from the commercial airplane involved, a Bombardier CRJ700, and is currently analyzing the data at their lab. The status of the recorder from the helicopter has not yet been disclosed.
A preliminary report is expected to be released within 30 days, providing initial facts gathered by the NTSB. A final report, containing all findings and details of the investigation, will be issued approximately a year later. This final report typically includes recommendations for safety improvements based on the investigation's findings.
