NTSB Opens Investigative Hearing into KDCA Midair Collision

NTSB Opens Hearing into KDCA Midair Collision

Purpose is to find facts and not come to conclusions

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

July 30, 2025

A key area of focus during the first day of the NTSB investigative hearing on the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 with a U.S. Army Black Hawk Sikorsky UH-60L helicopter is the helicopter’s air data system and barometric and radar altimeter discrepancies. The accident resulted in the deaths of all passengers and crew on the CRJ700 airliner and the three crew members on the Black Hawk.

To conclude on August 1, the hearing will not generate any conclusions as to the cause of the accident. During opening remarks this morning, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy explained, “An investigative hearing allows the NTSB to gather sworn testimony from witnesses on issues identified by the investigative team for a specific event or systemic safety issues. Investigative hearings are fact-finding proceedings. The purpose is to receive testimony and evidence, which may be of aid in determining the cause of an accident. This is not an adversarial hearing.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.