Conflicting data raises questions about altitude at time of Washington plane crash

A Coast Guard vessel and a Fire and Rescue boat work on the Potomac river. Picture: AP/Carolyn Kaster

Preliminary data from the deadliest US aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when they collided, investigators said on Saturday.

Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet, plus or minus 25 feet, when the crash happened on Wednesday night near Reagan National Airport in Washington, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials told reporters.