The wings were bent and the engine with its propeller still attached came to rest near the airplane’s nose, according to the NTSB report.

“We’ve determined that the existing separation distances between helicopter traffic operating on Route 4 and aircraft landing on Runway 33 are insufficient and pose an intolerable risk to aviation safety by increasing the chances of a mid-air collision at DCA,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a news conference.