DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As investigators continue to uncover details about the collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening, one professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday offered insight into factors that could have played a role in the crash.

Dr. Michael McCormick, associate professor and program coordinator of the Embry-Riddle Air Traffic Management Program, explained the airspace in and around Washington, D.C., is unique, with three major airports that operate within the area. Special procedures that ensure the nation's security also have been put in place in the nation's capital since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon and New York City, he said.

What You Need To Know

  • The Embry-Riddle Air Traffic Management Program coordinator extended his condolences to families of victims of a collision between a commercial jet and a Black Hawk helicopter 

  • Dr. Michael McCormick said the airspace in and around Washington, D.C., is unique, with three major airports that operate within the airspace

  • Special procedures also were put in place for national security reasons after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and New York City, McCormick said

  • Time of day, the runway and equipment the crew might have had also are factors to consider, he said.

  •  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate Capt. Jonathan Campos was one of the pilots on the American Airlines passenger jet involved in the collision

Several factors that could have played a role include the time of day, the equipment the helicopter crew may have had on and the runway on which the passenger plane was landing. 

“This is a rare event, a tragic event, but it's a confluence of factors that go into something like this," McCormick said. "And immediately my thought is that this needs to be investigated in great, great detail over lengthy time, looking at the facts as they present themselves to come up with what are the cultural factors, what are contributing factors, and how we prevent this from happening in the future."

McCormick also explained the detailed and rigorous training program for air traffic controllers.

“Only the best. Only the capable. And those have gone through an extensive, detailed training program rise to become an air traffic controller,” McCormick said. “That program starts at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City that screens out those employees who do not have the aptitude for the profession. And then it continues when they get to the air traffic control facility, and that can take from two to five years of training before you're a full controller.”

McCormick said although aviation remains the safest mode of transportation in the United States, there’s always a need to strive to take it to the next level.  

McCormick also extended his condolences to the victims’ families and everyone affected by the crash. 

Embry-Riddle graduate Capt. Jonathan Campos was one of the pilots on the American Airlines passenger jet involved in the collision. The university released the following statement: “Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Jonathan Campos (Aeronautical Science,’15). Our thoughts are with his family and the families and loved ones of all impacted by this tragic accident.”