According to several reports, many aircraft flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) over the weekend received Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) warnings that another plane was in the vicinity and possibly on a collision course when no other aircraft were in the area.

Some of the crews executed go-arounds as a result of the alerts. The FAA is investigating why the alerts occurred.”

What is the TCAS warning?

The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), also known as the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) is an airborne system designed to increase cockpit awareness of nearby aircraft and service as a last defense against mid-air collisions.

TCAS activates the display only in a dangerous situation, such as when another aircraft is close or when a distant aircraft is closing rapidly.

Captain Steeeve listens to the ATC audio and breaks down what happened, explaining the possible causes of false alerts and what pilots do in these situations. Was it a real danger, or just a technical glitch? Watch as we analyze the incident and separate fact from fiction.

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A water cannon salute took place at Reagan National Airport Friday night, to honor Captain Jonathan Campos who lost his life in D.C.’s plane crash on flight AA5342.

The salute took place as late Captain Campos and his family were set to fly to their home in New York on American Airlines Flight 2074 to LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

The pilots of the American Airlines aircraft made a last ditch bid to save their passengers just moments before the fatal crash with an Army Black Hawk helicopter.

Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, 28, tried to pull the plane’s nose up in the last few seconds before the crash, preliminary data from the plane’s flight recorder has revealed.

The post Honoring the captain of flight AA5342, on his final flight from Reagan National Airport appeared first on AIRLIVE.

Honoring Ian Epstein, one of the flight attendants of ill-fated American Airlines Flight AA5342.

A water cannon salute paid tribute to American Airlines flight attendant Ian Epstein, who lost life in last week’s crash near Reagan National Airport, as his body was flown to Charlotte, North Carolina.

The post Water cannon salute as the body of American Airlines flight attendant departs DCA appeared first on AIRLIVE.

In an update on X, the National Transportation Safety Board said: “NTSB investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 airplane involved in yesterday’s mid-air collision in DCA.

“The recorders are at the NTSB labs for evaluation.”

Black boxes can help offer clues to investigators about what could have happened in the moments leading to the crash.

The post Black boxes from American Eagle #AA5342 are at the NTSB labs appeared first on AIRLIVE.

American Airlines #AA5342 carrying 60 passengers and crew collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

The accident occurred as the Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft (registration N709PS) was making its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from Wichita, Kansas (ICT). 

Following the collision, the American Airlines jet crashed into the Potomac River, prompting a large-scale emergency response. Fireboats and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene, while the airport was temporarily shut down. 

Reports indicate that the military helicopter involved in the collision was designated as a “PAT” (Priority Air Transport), which suggests that a high-ranking military official may have been on board. 

Adding to the mystery, the Blackhawk reportedly did not have its transponder activated at the time of the crash, raising questions about how the accident occurred in such a highly regulated airspace. 

Authorities are actively searching for survivors, with initial reports suggesting that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the aircraft.

UPDATE #1
At least 18 bodies have been recovered.

UPDATE #2
President Trump confirms “Sadly there are no survivors”.

UPDATE #3
No black boxes have been recovered from the crash scene yet, a National Transportation Safety Board source said.

UPDATE #4
Among victims are coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, Russian former world champions. The married couple won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994.

UPDATE #5
Reagan National Airport’s runways have reopened, according to the FAA.

UPDATE #6
At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River.

The post American Airlines #AA5342 crashes after colliding with military helicopter on approach to Reagan National Airport appeared first on AIRLIVE.

On Apr 19, 2024 at 8:11 AM, Jetblue Airways Embraer E-190 (registration N323JB was performing flight #B61554 to Boston.

The plane began its take-off run on runway 05 at Washington National Airport, DC when a Southwest Boeing 737MAX8 (registration N8710M), performing flight #WN2937 to Orlando, taxied 40 meters past the holding line on taxiway “Charlie” into the way of the E-190.

The Boeing 737 was heading for runway 01. ATC immediately instructed the Southwest flight to stop while the E-190 rejected the take-off and defused a potential collision conflict.

The FAA said an air traffic controller told the pilot of Southwest Flight 2937 bound for Orlando to cross Runway 4. At the same time, JetBlue Flight 1554 to Logan Airport was cleared for takeoff from the same runway.

The post A Southwest Boeing 737 narrowly avoided a collision with a departing JetBlue aircraft this morning at Washington Ronald Reagan Airport appeared first on AIRLIVE.