All Major Wreckage From D.C. Plane Crash In Secure Facility: NTSB

ARLINGTON, VA — All major pieces from the plane and helicopter involved in the Jan. 29 collision near Reagan National Airport have been relocated for the investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday.

NTSB is leading the investigation into the mid-air collision between a Black Hawk Army helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 that killed all 67 people on board. According to the NTSB, the major pieces of the helicopter and plane have been moved to a secure airport facility. In addition, teams have recovered additional avionics from the helicopter and the plane's traffic collision avoidance system, which typically alerts crews of other aircraft that are close.

Officials had been offloading the helicopter wreckage and some plane debris from a barge on Friday. Investigators will have access to the debris in a secure hangar at Reagan National Airport. They will be looking for marks on the aircraft providing clues on the angle at which the collision happened. NTSB investigators have cockpit voice recorders from both airport and are transcribing the audio, authorities said on Tuesday.

Scanning and diving activities continue in the Potomac River after all of the victims' bodies and major debris pieces have been recovered. The NTSB said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration airport completed a Topographic/Bathymetric lidar survey Saturday morning. That identified multiple underwater targets that may be additional airport debris. According to the NTSB, the Topographic/Bathymetric lidar uses a visible green laser pulse to get elevation data on land and underwater. Divers investigated those locations on Saturday and will continue investigating in the coming days.

The NTSB said it anticipated to produce a preliminary report within 30 days of the collision. The probable cause of the collision will be identified in the final report, which could come in 12 to 24 months.

SEE ALSO:

• All 67 Victims Of DC Plane Crash Recovered From The Potomac
• Trump Blames DC Plane Crash On 'Obsolete' Air Traffic Control Systems