How did air traffic controllers spot the Black Hawk risk?

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Air Traffic Controllers Issued Warning Before Mid-Air Collision

Air traffic controllers issued a verbal warning to the Black Hawk helicopter, inquiring if its occupants could visually spot the passenger plane, moments before the fatal mid-air collision over the Potomac River. One controller described witnessing a "fireball" and the subsequent disappearance of the aircraft into the river.
Pre-Collision Communication

The sequence of events leading to the crash involved communication between air traffic control and the Black Hawk helicopter, identified by its call sign "Pat 2-5." A controller posed a direct question to the helicopter crew, asking, "Pat 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?" This inquiry suggests an attempt to ascertain if the helicopter crew had visual confirmation of the approaching passenger jet, which was on its final descent.
Controller's Account of the Impact

Following the initial warning, the gravity of the situation became apparent. One air traffic controller recounted, "I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river." This statement indicates the immediate and catastrophic nature of the impact, leaving no trace of the aircraft in the air after the collision.
Lack of Detail on Systemic Detection

While the account details the verbal exchange and the controllers' immediate reactions, it does not specify the precise methods or systems air traffic control utilized to detect the impending risk of a collision. The information provided focuses on the human element of communication and observation rather than the technological capabilities of the air traffic control system in identifying potential conflicts between aircraft.

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How did air traffic controllers spot the Black Hawk risk?

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