Save the July 30-31 Date for Investigative Hearing

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Investigative Hearing: Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky UH-60 Military Helicopter

​​​The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a three-day investigative hearing July 30 through Aug. 1 on the Jan. 29 mid-a​​ir collision betwe​en a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jetliner and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers aboard the airplane, operated as American Airlines Flight 5342, were killed, along with the helicopter’s three crew members. 

The NTSB conducts investigative hearings to assist in obtaining information necessary to determine the facts and circumstances of transportation accidents or incidents under investigation. 

Links to video of media briefings, photos, the preliminary accident report, the urgent safety recommendation report, investigative updates and other related materials are all available on the investigation webpage​. ​

​​​WHAT: An NTSB investigative hearing on the Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky UH-60 Military Helicopter​​.

WHO: NTSB Board members, investigative staff, scheduled witnesses, and parties to the hearing.

WHEN: July 30-August 1

Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. eastern time (ET)

  • 9-10: Opening Statements
  • 10-2: Panel 1 Overviews of Accidents Helicopter's Air Data Systems and Altimeters
  • 2-2:45: Lunch Break
  • 2:45-6:30: Panel 2: Overview of the DCA Class B Airspace and Helicopter Routes
  • 6:30-7: Closing / Adjorn

​Thursday, July 31, 2025, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
      • 9-10: ​​​Opening Statements
  • ​10-2: Panel 3 Training, Guidance and Procedures Applicable to DCA Air Traffic Control 
  • 2-2:45: Lunch Break
  • 2:25-6:30: Panel 4: Overview of Collision Avoidance Technology 
  • 6:30-7: Closing / Adjorn​

Friday, August 1, 2025, 9 a.m. to 1​ p.m. ET
  • ​9-9:15:Opening Statements
  • 9:15-1:30: Panel 5 Safety Data and Safety Managments Systems (SMSs) at the Various Organizations 
  • 1:30-2:00:​​​​​ Closing / Adjorn

WHERE: NTSB Boardroom

​HOW: Attend in person or watch the livestream​. ​​​A recording of the hearing will be available on the NTSB website within 30 days.  

    Read More about our investigative process and investigative hearings

    Who Can Participate​
    During the hearing, only NTSB Board members, investigative staff, and designated parties to the hearing may ask questions of witnesses, who testify under oath. All the parties work under the NTSB’s leadership. The public is invited to observe the hearing only. 

    Results of the Hearing ​A​fter the hearing, the NTSB will use the information gathered to complete the investigation, determine probable cause, and make recommendations to improve transportation safety. The full investigation will take approximately one year to 18 months from the date of the accident to complete.

Accomodations
​I​​Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation and/or wheelchair access directions should contact NTSB Investigative Hearing Officer​ Daniel Bower at (202) 314-6562 or by email – DCAMidairHearing@ntsb.gov. 

Media planning to cover the investigative hearing should email ​ mediarelations​@NTSB.gov. 
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