A catastrophic mid-air collision over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Investigations have revealed multiple safety violations, including the helicopter flying above permitted altitudes and an inactive tracking system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been warned about the dangers of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic in the area but failed to take preventive measures.
