41 Bodies Of American Airlines Collision Victims Found, Helicopter Flights At Reagan Airport Restricted

UNSPLASH/Miguel ILLUSTRATION

US authorities have restricted helicopter flights near Washington DC's Reagan National Airport, following an aerial collision between an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk military helicopter that killed 67 people.

Investigators on Friday, January 31, managed to find a helicopter black box, which recorded flight and voice data in the cockpit, National Transportation Safety Council member Todd Inman said.

Information from black boxes along with cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders of CRJ700 aircraft, could help authorities gather what happened before the plane crash with Black Hawk.

The board has also conducted interviews with air traffic watchdogs, including the only supervisor working inside the Reagan tower at the time of the crash on Wednesday.

"The NTSB is an independent bipartisan council. Our job is to find facts, but more importantly, our job is to ensure this tragedy doesn't happen again, regardless of what people say," Inman said.

The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) limits helicopter flights to reduce the risk of collisions.

Badminton said the decision "will immediately help secure airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of aircraft traffic and helicopters."

The FAA prohibits most helicopters from entering two routes near the airport and only allows police and medical helicopters, air defenses, and presidential air transportation to be in the area between the airport and the nearest bridge.

This restriction will last at least until the NTSB releases an initial report regarding the fatal collision, which usually takes 30 days.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the airline would work closely with the government to make our aviation system safer, including by increasing investment in infrastructure, technology and personnel.

So far, the SAR team has evacuated 41 bodies, officials said.

The evacuation of the victim's body from the Potomac River will begin "in earnest" on Sunday.

Washington Fire Department chief, DC John cap told reporters the 28 bodies had been identified positively and he hoped all the victims would eventually be found.

The American Airlines plane tried to land when it collided with a Black Hawk Army helicopter, killing 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Two of the three military members killed in the helicopter were identified on Friday.