Two days later one of the Cessna pilots joined federal agents in a police helicopter.

A factor related to the accident was the sun's glare, which restricted the vision of the Cessna 172 pilot.

The much greater visual scan for the Cessna pilot results in a significantly reduced warning time, with a correspondingly reduced miss distance (i.e., more failed evasions).

Within minutes, the Cessna pilot established radio contact with another air traffic control tower, in Leesburg, Va., 32 miles northwest of Washington.

The Cessna pilot pulled hard on his stick, but the Piper was going so fast there was no escape.

But the helicopter crew could do no more than make hand signals at the Cessna pilot.

Technicians aboard Asheville transmitted commands to the Sea Ferret, which were received and responded to by the Cessna pilot.

A Cessna pilot made a call to Approach now, but his transmission went unanswered.

The board concluded that from the actions of the Cessna pilot may have believed 30R was the assigned runway for his departure.

The Cessna pilot requested permission to take off, "Kilo Mike ready to go from the right side."