Ok, having looked at the FlightRadar24 flight information, and the FAA charts, and knowing what I know about ATC from being a pilot, I want to inject some common sense in to the discussion of what might have happened tonight.
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The best answer I can give you right now, is that we simply don’t know, and we likely won’t the answer for some time. FAA/NTSB investigations of incidents involving small airplanes (typically under 12,500lbs take off weight) can take years to officially close.
Due to the high profile nature of this collision, we may have answers sooner, but only if the relevant agencies have the funding and manpower to turn out some conclusions.
The tapes from the tower that I posted in continuation of this thread sort of confirm (for me), the helicopter was told to maintain his visual separation from the CRJ. They were operating under VMC, which is visual meteorological conditions, each pilot is supposed to see and avoid other aircraft
Ok, someone has found the liveatc tapes from the Reagan tower. The controller asks the helicopter if they have a visual on the CRJ airplane. No response, then a bunch of chatter as the controllers start issuing go-around orders to the other planes inbound. https://archive.liveatc.net/kdca/KDCA1-Twr-Jan-30-2025-0130Z.mp3
I see now it was an Army Blackhawk. (1st Helo is at Andrews - so I was trying to figure out if it was Army). So that likely was the call sign I was hearing.
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