Key safety system off in Army helicopter that collided with American Airlines jet, senator says

Aftermath of American Eagle flight 5342 crash in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

(Reuters) – A key safety system was turned off on a U.S. Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines regional jet last week near Washington Reagan Airport, killing 67.

Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz told reporters the Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), which is permitted for military aircraft.

“This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off,” Cruz said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese)