Salvage crews have made significant progress in recovering the wreckage of a commercial airliner involved in last week’s midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport, with an engine and large pieces of fuselage recovered so far. The recovery operation is expected to take several days, with authorities then working to remove the military helicopter involved in the collision.
Salvage crews have made significant progress in recovering the wreckage of a commercial airliner involved in last week’s midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport.
According to officials, an engine and large pieces of fuselage have been recovered, with efforts ongoing to retrieve a wing from the wreckage.
Airplane recovery refers to the process of retrieving an aircraft from a location where it has been abandoned, damaged, or stranded.
This can occur due to various reasons such as mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, or pilot error.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), there were 47 reported incidents of aircraft abandonment worldwide in 2020.
The recovery process involves assessing the damage, securing the site, and transporting the aircraft to a repair facility.
Airlines and aviation authorities work together to ensure safe and efficient recovery operations.
In addition to the aircraft debris, salvage crews have also recovered more human remains from the Potomac River. While officials declined to provide specific details, it has been confirmed that 55 of the 67 victims have been found and identified since the crash on Wednesday. The recovery operation is expected to take several days, with authorities then working to remove the military helicopter involved in the collision.
Human remains recovery involves the process of locating, excavating, and analyzing human remains to determine their identity, cause of death, and circumstances surrounding their passing.
This field combines forensic science, anthropology, and archaeology to provide crucial information for families, law enforcement, and legal proceedings.
The recovery process typically begins with a thorough search using ground-penetrating radar, drones, or cadaver dogs.
Once remains are located, they are carefully excavated and documented before being transported to a laboratory for further analysis.
Federal investigators are working to piece together the events leading up to the collision. Preliminary data has revealed conflicting readings about the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter, which has raised questions about the cause of the crash. Investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days, with full investigations typically taking a year or more.
An airplane-helicopter collision is a rare but potentially catastrophic event.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there are approximately 150,000 helicopter flights and 30,000 airplane flights daily in the United States alone.
The main causes of collisions include air traffic control errors, pilot mistakes, and inadequate communication between aircraft operators.
Consequences can be severe, resulting in loss of life, damage to property, and significant economic losses.
To prevent such incidents, regulatory bodies have implemented strict safety protocols, including enhanced surveillance systems and improved 'pilot training programs' .
Experts stress that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan Airport can challenge even experienced pilots. The NTSB said Saturday that preliminary data showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter. Investigators are also examining data from the jet’s flight recorder, which showed a change in pitch just before impact.
Divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols during the recovery operation, stopping movement of debris at times when human remains are being recovered. The ‘dignified recovery’ of remains takes precedence over all else, said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Francis Pera.
The crash occurred when the jet, en route from Wichita, Kansas, was about to land. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission and had 3 people aboard. There were no survivors in either aircraft. On Sunday, family members were taken to the Potomac River bank near where the two aircraft came to rest after colliding.
Federal investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the collision. With a preliminary report expected within 30 days, officials caution against premature speculation about the cause of the crash or the helicopter’s altitude.
