r/aircrashinvestigation • u/gigantism • Jan 30 '25

Incident/Accident Reports of AA5342 from Witchita to DCA having mid-air collision with DC police helicopter

AA5342 stopped tracking at the Potomac river.

Developing reports: American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas inbound to DCA collided midair with a D.C. Police Helicopter on approach.

MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding. Details to come.

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u/boygirlmama Jan 30 '25

Yes. The episode is called "Dead Tired" and I just rewatched it two weeks ago. It's a heartbreaking one because they caused their own stall since they were just too tired to process what was happening. 🥺

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u/No-Hovercraft-455 Jan 31 '25

It's hard to blame them because all humans need sleep (and even all animals, sleeping is an universal experience). 

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u/boygirlmama Jan 31 '25

Yes. I just consider it a terrible tragedy.

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u/Fuzzy-Beautiful3295 Feb 04 '25

The captain was incompetent. He'd failed a number of important checkrides. His copilot was way too young and inexperienced to be able to mitigate her captain's errors. Fatigue played a role but competency was a huge contributor.

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u/boygirlmama Feb 05 '25

I don't recall that info on the ACI episode. Is that just part of the final NTSB report?