​​​​​​​​​​​​This information is preliminary and subject to change.​

Investigative Update for Feb 8

​​​All major pieces the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ Aviation (Bombardier) CRJ700 and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in the Jan. 29 mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport have now been recovered to a secure airport facility for further examination and documentation. Investigators will be looking for witness marks on the aircraft that could provide clues to the angle of collision. Teams also recovered the CRJ’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and retrieved additional avionics from the Black Hawk.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration TopoBathy lidar survey from a manned NOAA aircraft was conducted this morning and identified multiple underwater targets that could be additional aircraft debris. Divers investigated those targets today and will continue that work this week. ​

​​Images are available on NTSB’s Flickr​​

​​​B-roll from the investigation is available on NTSB's​ YouTube Channel

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​​The NTSB, in coordination with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), offloaded from a barge the wreckage of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in the Jan. 29 mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. Additional components of the Bombardier CRJ700 were also offloaded. The wreckage will be placed in a secure hangar at DCA for layout and inspection by investigators.

A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration TopoBathy lidar survey from a manned NOAA aircraft has been delayed until Saturday morning from 2 -5 a.m., weather permitting. Topographic/Bathymetric lidar has a visible green laser pulse that can collect elevation data on the land as well as under the water. The survey was requested to identify objects for divers to investigate.

Investigators from the helicopter operations group were at Davison Army Airfield today to examine an exemplar Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Investigators want to compare switch and other settings from the accident helicopter.

Investigators documented the right wing of the CRJ and recovered its exterior lights, which were sent to NTSB laboratories. Investigators now plan to document the airplane’s left wing.