Crashed helicopter recovered from Potomac, NOAA to run lidar scan on area

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in coordination with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), has recovered the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and additional parts of the Bombardier CRJ700 involved in the fatal crash above the Potomac River.

The team continues to search for additional parts of the Black Hawk including the right engine and tail rotor. The wreckage is expected to be offloaded from the barge tomorrow and transferred to a secure location.

As part of the recovery operation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be flying a TopoBathy lidar (light detection and ranging) scan flight overnight to scan the river floor.

The scan will be used to potentially identify additional parts and items for recovery by divers or a crane.

NTSB investigators examined the MHI RJ Aviation CRJ700 wreckage that has been recovered and secured. Flight data for both aircraft are being analyzed and parameters continued to be validated.

Recovery operations will continue Friday in the Potomac River.