DC pilot praised as altitude is questioned

THE helicopter pilot involved in the crash over Washington, DC has been described as a "bright star in all our lives" by her family as conflicting data about the aircraft's height is uncovered.

- Christopher Bucktin

A flight recorder from the plane it collided with shows the altitude as 325ft, plus or minus 25ft, at the time of the collision.

But data from the control tower puts the helicopter at 200ft. The discrepancy has not been explained and it is hoped the chopper's flight recorder, which has yet to be recovered, may shed light.