AA5342 was en route from Wichita (ICT) to Washington (DCA) with 60 passengers and four (4) crew members and was on final approach for Runway 33 at an approximate altitude of 300 feet AMSL when the two aircraft collided. ATC audio captured by LiveATC.net records the air traffic controllers interacting with a helicopter call sign PAT25 moments before the collision. The PAT call sign is generally used by US military VIP transport aircraft, including the H60. The controller can be heard asking PAT25 if it has the CRJ in sight and then issuing a command to the helicopter. Seconds later the two aircraft collide and audible gasps are heard in the control tower.
Available data for download
The PSA Airlines CRJ-700 was broadcasting ADS-B messages. The high-frequency ADS-B data is available for download below. The H60 helicopter was only broadcasting Mode S data, it was not broadcasting ADS-B. Unfortunately the aircraft was flying too low for Flightradar24 to calculate MLAT positions, but Mode S data was received by the helicopter from 01:39 UTC to 01:44 UTC. At the time of the last message received, the aircraft was in level flight at 400 feet. The granular Mode S data from PAT25 is available for download as well.
Aircraft details
PSA Airlines flight 5342 was operated by a CRJ-701(ER), a common regional jet. The helicopter involved is reported by the FAA to be an H60, commonly known as a Black Hawk. The registration of the helicopter is unknown at this time.
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