Federal investigators opened a three-day inquiry Wednesday into the January plane crash that killed 67 people over Washington, D.C. — and have already released harrowing new footage of the collision.
An American Airlines regional jet slammed into a military helicopter above the Potomac River, killing all 64 passengers and crew aboard the jet and three service members on the chopper. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working to establish the cause of the crash. (RELATED: Passenger Jet Collides With Military Helicopter Near Reagan National Airport. Authorities Confirm Dozens Of Deaths)
On the investigation’s first day, officials revealed the Army Black Hawk was flying above its authorized altitude and that cockpit instruments were providing faulty altitude readings at the time of the crash.
While the probe is scheduled to wrap Friday, the NTSB’s final report isn’t expected until 2026, according to The Associated Press.
Still, lawmakers like Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have already introduced legislation to mandate ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, for both civilian and military aircraft. The system, which broadcasts an aircraft’s position to others nearby and to air traffic control, is currently optional for military flights. (RELATED: Ted Cruz Shreds Witness Who Wants Oil Execs Jailed For ‘Homicide’)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy endorsed the bill, calling it the “right approach” and slamming his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, for being “asleep at the wheel.”
We owe it to the victims of the horrific January DCA air collision to build a WHOLE NEW air traffic control system.
I am incredibly grateful to the families for their courage and tireless advocacy to make our skies safer. pic.twitter.com/1mjJhTS2wy
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) July 29, 2025
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The crash is the deadliest in the U.S. since 2001.