The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday evening that it recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the site of Wednesday’s crash.
Both devices were recovered from the PSA Airlines CRJ-700, which collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. Often referred to as ‘black boxes,’ the two recorders contain critical flight data.
“NTSB investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 airplane involved in yesterday’s mid-air collision at DCA,” the agency said in a statement. “The recorders are at the NTSB labs for evaluation.”
The NTSB’s labs are located nearby in downtown Washington, D.C. On Thursday, the agency officially took control of the investigation.
During a press conference, NTSB investigators said there will be various groups working on the investigation, including operations, structures, engines, systems, air traffic control, survival factors, helicopters, and human performance.
The agency had nearly 50 people on scene Thursday. A preliminary report will be available within 30 days.
