Helicopter flights restricted after crash, black boxes recovered

WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. officials restricted helicopter flights near Reagan Washington National Airport on January 31 after a midair crash killed 67 people this week.

The accident involved an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter.

Investigators have found the helicopter's black box, which records flight data and cockpit conversations. This, along with data from the jet, may help determine what happened before the crash on January 29. Both aircraft fell into the freezing Potomac River, making it the deadliest U.S. air disaster in 20 years.

Authorities are still investigating the cause. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has interviewed air traffic controllers, including the only controller working at Reagan's tower that night. They won't speculate on what happened until the investigation is complete.

To prevent another accident, the FAA has restricted most helicopter flights near the airport. Only police, medical, air defense, and presidential helicopters are allowed. These restrictions will last at least 30 days until the NTSB releases its preliminary report.

Rescue teams have recovered 41 bodies so far. Officials expect to find all victims. The American Airlines plane was landing when it hit an Army Black Hawk helicopter. All 60 passengers and four crew members on the plane died. Two of the three service members on the helicopter were identified.

The crash has raised concerns about air safety and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Reagan's control tower had only one controller on duty at the time, which was not expected but was allowed due to low traffic volume. The FAA is short about 3,000 controllers.

Washington's airspace is crowded with three commercial airports, military bases, and government helicopter flights. On average, 80 helicopters fly near Reagan Airport daily, primarily for military or law enforcement.

The military said the helicopter should have been flying at a maximum altitude of 200 feet, but the crash happened around 300 feet. Former President Donald Trump said the helicopter was flying too high.

Radio recordings show air traffic controllers warned the helicopter about the incoming jet and told it to change course.

PSA Airlines, a regional carrier, operated the American Eagle flight. Its pilot had six years of experience.

Two of Reagan Airport's three runways will be closed for a week. The main runway, which handles most flights, will remain open.

The crash victims included people from Russia, China, Germany, and the Philippines and young figure skaters returning from a training camp in Kansas.