Black Box Found From Helicopter Involved in the American Airlines Plane Crash as Recovery Efforts Continue

The black box from the Army Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into American Airlines flight 5342 on Jan. 29 has been recovered, according to officials.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that the flight data recorder from the Sikorsky helicopter has been found with “no exterior damage” and is now being inspected by authorities.

NTSB member Todd Inman said in a press conference on Friday, Jan. 31, “We have recovered the Sikorsky Black box, it is safely at the NTSB headquarters [where] it will begin an evaluation … to determine when and how to take action,” per Palm Beach Post.

“...From a visual inspection we saw no exterior damage that would indicate that it was compromised at this time, so we have a high level of confidence that we will be able to have a full extraction,” he added.

It was shared earlier in the press conference that two separate recorders were also recovered from the American Airlines plane involved in the crash, with one said to be in “good condition” for information retrieval, according to Inman.

Related: American Airlines Plane Crashes into Potomac River After Black Hawk Helicopter Collision: Recap

The update comes after 67 people on board the two aircrafts are presumed dead following the tragic crash.

Shortly before 9 p.m. local time. on Jan. 29, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines plane — carrying 60 passengers and four crew members — as it was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport, outside of Washington, D.C. Both aircrafts plummeted into the Potomac River in the fiery crash.

Among the victims on board were multiple young skaters heading back to D.C. with their moms after attending the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas.

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Inman said in another update during the press conference on Friday, Jan. 31 that the process of recovering the bodies from the crash site is continuing.

“The Navy Supervisor of Salvage is conducting salvage operations at the current time,” he said. “Barges are en route from Virginia Beach and we anticipate them to be on scene early [Saturday] morning.”

Related: American Airlines Flight Carrying 60 Passengers and 4 Crew Split in Half After Helicopter Collision: Report

The official confirmed that “two distinct debris fields” have now been located, with the area supporting the helicopter being “a little bit larger” than that of the plane.

“...There are large chunks that will be easily recoverable and it will aid in the investigation when we bring it into the secured facility,” said Inman.

He also shared that officials will be looking into staffing on the day of the crash and they will be examining the controller's behavior, particularly in the 72 hours before the crash, per BBC.

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