A wrong key press may have caused the deadly Black Hawk–American Airlines jet crash

The deadly collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet last month, which claimed 67 lives, may have resulted from a mistimed key press, according to reports.National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stated that the Black Hawk helicopter pilots might not have heard air traffic control instructions because they pressed the microphone key at the same moment.

Homendy told reporters that recordings from the Black Hawk helicopter cockpit suggest an incomplete radio transmission may have left the crew unaware of how they should adjust their position just before the January 29 crash.

“That transmission was interrupted—it was stepped on,” she said, explaining that the pilots were unable to hear the words “pass behind the” because the helicopter’s microphone key was pressed simultaneously.

Aviation expert William Waldock noted that blocked transmissions caused by pressed microphone keys are a recognized aviation issue, though its role in this crash remains uncertain.

The helicopter pilots may have also missed additional communications regarding the jet’s runway change.The flight was a certification exercise testing pilot proficiency and night vision goggle usage, with the crew wearing the equipment throughout.The final NTSB report will take over a year to complete, with numerous aspects still under investigation. The incident is the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. since the 2001 New York City crash.

Safety consultant John Cox emphasized that the helicopter crew had previously accepted responsibility for maintaining visual separation. The collision occurred at approximately 300 feet, exceeding the helicopter’s 200-foot altitude limit.

Pre-crash cockpit discussions revealed altitude discrepancies, with different readings reported by crew members. The Black Hawk’s radio altimeter indicated 278 feet at impact, though this may not reflect cockpit instrument readings.

The identified helicopter crew members were Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves. The airline pilot was Jonathan Campos, 34.

The American Airlines jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land at the time of the crash. Its passengers included a group of hunters, students and parents from northern Virginia schools, and members of the Skating Club of Boston. They were returning from a development camp for elite junior skaters following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

Earlier, President Donald Trump made unsubstantiated claims about the helicopter’s altitude and air traffic control diversity programs, later attributing the incident to outdated systems.