NTSB confirms Black Hawk helicopter was flying 100 feet over altitude limit – KOMO News
Now 33 Thu 41 Fri 37by TAYLOR FISHMAN | The National News DeskTOPICS:WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger plane was flying too high, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).The flight traffic data that NTSB has obtained confirms that the helicopter was flying at 300 feet according to the air traffic control display, which is 100 feet more than it should be flying the nation’s capital.The maximum altitude for a helicopter to fly in the area is 200 feet.Since radar data is rounded to the nearest 100 feet, NTSB knew that the helicopter was flying anywhere between 251 feet and 349 feet. With the data from air traffic control, they were able to confirm the high altitude of the helicopter.The passenger plane was at an elevation of 325 feet and was cleared to land into Ronald Reagan National Airport.Recovery efforts are still in full force in the Potomac River as crews continue to clean up the wreckage and pick up significant portions of the plane.Everything that is recovered from the river will be transported to a secure location to examine.As of Tuesday all 67 victims have been pulled from the river, with 66 being positively identified.
