The black boxes from the mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter over Washington, D.C., have been recovered and are undergoing analysis. Initial reports indicate that only one air traffic controller was managing both helicopter and airplane traffic in the busy airspace at the time of the crash, raising questions about staffing levels. The accident, resulting in 67 fatalities, is under investigation by the NTSB, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. Recovery efforts are underway, but have been hampered by challenging conditions.
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A mid-air collision between a regional jet, American Airlines Flight 5342, and a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport resulted in a mass casualty incident. The crash, captured on video, has prompted a large-scale emergency response involving numerous fire boats and helicopters searching for victims. The FAA and NTSB will jointly investigate the cause of the collision, while all takeoffs and landings at DCA have been temporarily suspended. Numerous fatalities have been reported.
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Analysis of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders revealed both ceased functioning four minutes before the December 29th crash, which killed 179 passengers. The recorders were sent to the NTSB for further examination due to missing data. Pre-crash communication indicates a possible bird strike, prompting an emergency landing attempt. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the recorder failure and the accident, including a review of Muan airport’s safety features, particularly the concrete structure the aircraft impacted.
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Steve Mensch, president and general manager of studio operations at Tyler Perry Studios, died Friday night in a single-engine plane crash in Citrus County, Florida. The 62-year-old managed the daily operations of the 300-acre Atlanta studio, which he described as a blend of historic buildings and state-of-the-art technology. Tyler Perry and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp both expressed their condolences, highlighting Mensch’s contributions to the studio and the state’s film industry. An NTSB investigation is underway.
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A Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 crashed in Larimer County, Colorado, during a routine training mission involving aerial photography, resulting in two fatalities and one severely injured co-pilot. The victims were identified as pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, both volunteers dedicated to public service. Recovery efforts are ongoing due to the remote and rugged terrain, and an investigation led by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the NTSB and FAA, is underway. The co-pilot was airlifted to a medical facility.
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John Q. Hosedrinker