New Videos Of American Airlines Flight 5342 And Black Hawk Impact Over The Potomac: Cranes Aid Recovery Effort

New video clips have emerged showing the moment that American Airlines flight 5342, operated by a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 under the American Eagle brand, collided with a US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk on Wednesday. The deadly incident two days ago resulted in both aircraft coming down in Washington DC’s Potomac River, with cranes having been deployed to aid recovery efforts.

New videos show multiple angles

In the immediate aftermath of the crash of American Airlines Flight 5342
, which was a service from Wichita (ICT) to Washington National (DCA) with 60 passengers and four crew members onboard, grainy CCTV footage of the incident emerged. However, with the collision with the US Army helicopter, which had three people onboard, taking place in darkness, there was little to see beyond the aircraft’s lights.

However, earlier today, two new videos showing the crash in greater detail and from multiple angles began circulating on social media. Reportedly obtained by CNN, the clips are sharper and more favorably lit, allowing for a clearer look at the collision between the regional jet and the helicopter. As seen in the post embedded above, the crash occurred at a low altitude, with the jet spiraling into the river.

In the clips, the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 is seen making what appears to be a smooth and standard approach towards the 1,586-meter-long (5,204 feet) runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
. However, as it does so, it is hit side-on by the US Army helicopter, which appears to have been traveling low and fast on a course roughly perpendicular to that of the regional airliner.

Crane deployed to the crash site

Given the devastating nature of the collision, as well as the frigid waters of the Potomac River at this time of the year, the focus of rescue efforts concerning the accident has sadly but inevitably switched to being a recovery mission for the bodies of the crash victims. This has been a considerable task involving multiple different agencies, with the US Coast Guard among those active in the mission.

According to CNN, the recovery efforts are still ongoing, with the bodies of 14 victims still said to be missing. In order to aid procedures, a crane is being deployed to the crash site, which, it is hoped, will be able to help those working on the recovery effort to access part of the plane’s fuselage that divers can’t safely get to. However, sources close to the matter suggest that its use is still 24-48 hours away.

Army investigating the use of night vision goggles

A key part of the early speculation regarding the incident is whether the crew of the helicopter were able to see the Washington-bound Bombardier
CRJ700 in the moments leading up to the deadly crash. With this in mind, the US Army has pledged to find out whether those onboard the Black Hawk were wearing night vision goggles at the time of the collision as part of its investigation into the matter.

Commenting on this, Jonathan Koziol, who works as the Chief of Staff of an Army Aviation division, told CNN’s Erin Burnett that “the night vision goggles will enhance your vision so you can see better. And we also allow our pilots to fly unaided without the goggles at night. It’s dark over the water so it’s easier for them to see stuff with them on.” He subsequently added that “the question is on altitudes now.”