Notes on NTSB Press Conference

Condolences

• Condolences extended to families of 67 victims from a recent accident.
• Mourning for additional individuals involved in the Philadelphia crash.
• Commitment to investigate and prevent future accidents.

NTSB Overview

• Last year, NTSB investigated 1,288 events, with 1,204 in aviation.
• Currently 1,145 open investigations in aviation.
• 343 fatalities across all modes, with several accidents having six or more fatalities.
• 1,100 recommendations open, with 283 pending in aviation.
• Team working on the current crash has over 350 years of combined experience.

Introduction of Bryce Banning

• Senior Aircraft Investigator at NTSB since 2012.
• Experience includes:
  • Hundreds of aircraft investigations.
  • Over 8,000 flight hours in varied aircraft.
  • Certified flight instructor and mechanic.
• Bryce will provide details on the crash investigation.

Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

• FDR and CVR from PSA aircraft recovered by FBI dive team.
• Recorders are solid-state digital types and were successfully downloaded.
• FDR has 400 parameters and is being analyzed; CVR has 2 hours and 4 minutes of audio.
• Events leading to the crash include:
  • Descent from 37,000 feet at 8:15.
  • Clearances for various approaches and runway switches.
  • Final moments show increase in pitch and sounds of impact.
• A group is working on transcribing CVR audio verbatim.

Air Traffic Control Communications

• DCA Tower communicated via VHF and UHF frequencies.
• Both aircraft (helicopter and CRJ) could not hear each other's transmissions.
• Upcoming release of synchronized air traffic communications data.
• Blackhawk helicopter was on a training flight with potential use of night vision goggles.

Air Traffic Control Staffing

• At the time of the accident, there were five controllers in the tower.
  • Local controller managing helicopters and fixed-wing traffic.
  • Ground controller managing non-runway vehicles.
  • Local assist controller aiding in operations.
  • Operations supervisor overseeing the tower.
• Interviews with controllers ongoing; emotional impact noted.

Altitude Data

• Preliminary data shows CRJ was at 325 feet at impact (+/- 25 feet).
• Tower radar showed Blackhawk at approximately 200 feet (still preliminary).
• Need for additional verification of altitude data from various sources.
• University of Michigan aiding the investigation.

Addressing Families

• NTSB representatives met with affected families, providing support and assurance of ongoing investigations.
• Emphasis on the importance of learning from tragedies to improve safety measures.
• Urgent call for adoption of NTSB's recommendations to prevent future accidents.

Media Questions

• Clarification requested on discrepancies in altitude readings between aircraft.
• Discussion on the functioning of aircraft anti-collision systems.
• Investigation into the presence and usage of night vision goggles during the flight.
• Continued commitment to providing accurate and timely information as investigation progresses.