From the American Airlines aircraft, which was faced with the Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, removed two black boxes. Meanwhile, the recording device of the helikopter was analyzed. Previously, Black Hawk flew 100 feet (30.5 meters) above the maximum permissible height and deviated from the prescribed route along the eastern bank of the Potomak River.

This was announced at a briefing of the US National Council on Transport Safety (NTSB). According to CNN, just two minutes before the collision, the military board was at an altitude of 200 feet - this is the maximum allowable value on the helicopter route known as route 1.

When Black Hawk flew over the Potomak River, he rose from 200 to 300 feet. A few seconds before the crash, the helicopter remained at the same height, and then tried to quickly decline.

In addition, Black Hawk turned to the center of the river, which is a deviation from a standard route that runs along the eastern coast of Potomak.

NTSB noted that such a turn reduced the distance to the Reagan National Airport in Washington.

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He explained that military helicopters were sending Mode S signals, and the civilian aircraft American Airlines transmitted the ADS-B signal, which provides much more information for air control.

Therefore, for a complete understanding of the events preceding the clash, a complete analysis of black boxes will be required.

“But even the incomplete picture indicates that the helicopter was in the wrong position,” they indicated in CNN.

On January 31, the American authorities limited the flights of helikopters near the Reagan National Airport in Washington.

Now only flights of police and medical services, air defense forces and presidential air transport are temporarily allowed there. It is expected that such restrictions will be valid for about a month.

Recall: in a plane crash that occurred on January 29 near Washington, no one survived. On board the American Airlines aircraft, there were 60 passengers (including three Russians) and four crew members, and on board the Black Hawk helicopter - three soldiers, experienced military.