Air traffic audio sheds light on moments before DC plane crash

A US official said no senior military officials were on the helicopter, while US Figure Skating said several skaters had been on board the American Airlines

- Agencies

WASHINGTON: Air traffic control audio recorded the moments before and after an American Airlines regional passenger jet crashed with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in a midair collision over Washington on Wednesday night.

Audio from LiveATC.net, a respected source for in-flight recording, captured the final communications between the three crew members of the helicopter - call sign PAT25 - before it collided with the CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew.

"PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ," an air traffic controller said at 8:47 pm (ET) on Wednesday (01:47 GMT on Thursday).

Seconds later, another aircraft called in to air traffic control, saying, "Tower, did you see that?" - apparently referring to the crash. An air traffic controller then redirected planes heading to runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport to go around.

The explosion in midair occurred over the frigid Potomac River near the airport.