(Gray News) – The Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet was on a training flight, according to the U.S. Army.
Three soldiers were onboard the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, according to Associated Press.
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the Army helicopter if it could see the plane: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?”
The controller received no response and made another radio call to the Army helicopter: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”
Seconds later, the Army helicopter and plane, carrying 64 aboard, collided.
U.S. Figure Skating said passengers on the jet included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members.
Military aircraft frequently conduct training flights in and around the congested and heavily-restricted airspace around the nation’s capital for familiarization and continuity of government planning, according to the Associated Press.
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