Harrowing audio captures air traffic controller's reaction to American Airlines plane colliding with helicopter

A harrowing audio recording captures an air traffic controller’s reaction to the recent American Airlines plane crash.

On Wednesday (29 January) evening, the passenger jet collided with a military helicopter mid-air over Washington DC, leading both aircraft to plunge into the Potomac River with all 64 passengers and crew and the three soldiers all confirmed dead.

This devastating incident took place as the plane was descending to land on Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, with investigators yet to name a cause.

Air traffic control (ATC) operators were directing the Sikorsky H-60 chopper (marked as a PAT 25) to pass behind the American Airlines jet just moments before the deadly crash.

A controller can be heard asking (via CNN): “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?” in a recording of the final communication between the Black Hawk helicopter and ATC.

According to a radio traffic feed on LiveATC.net (which broadcasts ATC communications), a helicopter pilot then responded that he did and would use ‘visual separation’. This means he would keep an eye on the aircraft, the Bombardier CRJ700, and make sure he remained a safe distance away.

The controller requested: “PAT 2-5 pass behind the CRJ.” But just moments later, the helicopter and incoming plane collided.

Control tower at Ronald Reagan Airport. (Getty Stock)

Harrowingly, an audible gasp can be heard from the control tower with sounds of concern in the background clear.

“Tower, did you see that?” someone on the channel asks, seemingly another aircraft referencing the crash.

And another person can be heard saying: “Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three.”

Soon after the incident, all takeoffs and landings were halted at the Ronald Reagan airport with emergency teams rushing to the scene.

“I believe they’re going to close the airport for an indefinite amount of time. I might suggest heading back to the gate,” a controller was heard telling a plane on the ground (via The New York Times).

Investigators are working to determine the cause. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

In another audio recording, an official can reportedly be heard saying: “The accident happened in the river. Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.”

NBC also reported what a controller said after witnessing the incident.

"It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven't seen anything since they hit the river," they said.

"But It was a CR-J and a helicopter that hit, I would say a half-mile of the approach."