WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) — The National Transportation Safety Board hearing began Wednesday with the disturbing video of Flight 5342, an American Airlines regional jet on approach to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport just outside Washington, D.C. when an Army helicopter coming from the left and flying 100 feet above the 200-foot height limit collided with the jet over the Potomac River. (To watch the NTSB hearing, click here. For more information on the hearing, click here.)
The Jan. 29 crash over the Potomac River killed 67 people, and the families of the victims are demanding accountability and changes in air safety procedures.
“We are working diligently to make sure we know what occurred, how it occurred, and to prevent it from ever happening again,” said NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.
Investigators are zeroing in on the helicopter pilots being not only being above the height limit for the route, but also having height readings that may have been inaccurate.
“Am I satisfied with the response actions they [the U.S. Army] are going to take? Is that what you are asking? Nope, I am not,” Homendy said. “I am not satisfied with what I heard in this panel discussion.”
Homendy said she’s not ready to say pilot error was the reason for the crash. She said she doesn’t know.
“I do think the Army is taking this seriously,” she said. “However, I do not think anyone did the math until the NTSB did the math to show there was only 75 feet of separation at a critical point on that route circling to runway 3-3, and that is significant.”
During the afternoon session, one person wearing a uniform on the panel was asked about it.
“I was shocked by that, he said.
Homendy went further, saying she doesn’t think the helicopter crew knew how high they were.
“I am concerned there is a possibility that what the crew saw was very different than what the true altitude was,” Homendy said. “We did testing in May that shows concerns with the altimeters barometric altimeters on the UH60 Sikorsky helicopter. “
That is the type of Army helicopter involved in the crash.
Coming up Thursday, the NTSB will tackle training guidance and procedures dealing with air traffic control. The afternoon session includes an overview of collision avoidance technology. Who knew they were in danger and who did not.
Watch the NTSB hearing
To watch the NTSB hearing, click here. For more information on the hearing, click here.