DCA plane crash witness describes moments after crash
An witness, Abadi Ismail, describes what he heard and saw following mid-air collision near Reagan International.
WASHINGTON – Two Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority employees have been arrested after a leaked video showing the deadly midair collision between a military helicopter and a commercial jet appeared on television.
DC plane crash video leaked
The backstory:
Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, of Rockville, Maryland, was arrested on Jan. 31 and charged with computer trespass under Virginia law. He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and later released, according to an MWAA spokesperson.
Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, of Rockville, Maryland. Photo via Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.
Following further investigation, authorities also charged Jonathan Savoy, 45, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with computer trespass on Feb. 2. Savoy was released on a summons by a magistrate.
Both men are accused of making an unauthorized copy of Airports Authority records, though officials did not specify how the footage was obtained or distributed.
The leaked video, which aired on CNN according to reports, captured the moment a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet during a nighttime training mission.
The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, including three Army soldiers aboard the helicopter.
Video of Washington DC plane-helicopter crash
An American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter Wednesday night over the Potomac River in Washington DC. Earth cam captured the collision.
What we don’t know:
The MWAA and law enforcement officials have not provided further details on whether additional individuals could face charges as the investigation continues. It’s also unclear whether the employees sold the video to CNN or handed it over for free.
The Source: The information in this report comes from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
