A tragic aviation disaster unfolded near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night when an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a military helicopter. The crash sent the aircraft plunging into the Potomac River, leading to a devastating loss of life.
By Thursday morning, emergency responders had retrieved 28 bodies—27 from the jetliner and one from the helicopter. As the recovery mission progressed, the death toll climbed to at least 40 by evening, according to CNN and CBS News, citing law enforcement officials. Washington’s Fire and EMS Chief, John Donnelly, confirmed that there were no known survivors, signaling a shift from rescue efforts to full-scale recovery operations.
The ill-fated commercial flight, American Airlines Flight 5342, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was approaching Reagan National Airport when the collision took place just before 9 p.m. Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter, operated by the U.S. Army out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a training exercise at the time of impact, according to a Defense Department statement.
Investigation and Initial Findings
Authorities swiftly launched an investigation into the fatal crash. By Thursday evening, one of the aircraft’s two black box data recorders had been recovered, according to Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office. A preliminary FAA report suggested irregular staffing in the air traffic control tower when the collision occurred, though further details remain under review.
This disaster occurred just a day after another near-miss involving a commercial jet and a helicopter at Reagan National, raising concerns about air traffic safety in the region.
Victims Include Figure Skaters and Coaches
The tragedy struck deep within the U.S. figure skating community. Many of those aboard Flight 5342 had been returning from the National Development Camp, held alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. U.S. Figure Skating released a statement confirming the loss of "several members of our skating family," including athletes, coaches, and their loved ones.
National Response and Political Fallout
President Donald Trump addressed the nation in a somber press briefing, holding a moment of silence for the victims. "This is a heartbreaking loss that has deeply affected many, including families from different nations who had loved ones on board," he stated.
The crash also ignited political debate. Trump attempted to link the incident to policies from the Biden administration, specifically pointing to diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices within the FAA. His remarks drew sharp criticism, particularly in light of recent leadership changes at the agency—FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker had resigned on January 20 after high-profile disputes with tech billionaire Elon Musk. Trump subsequently appointed Chris Rocheleau, a veteran FAA official, to temporarily lead the agency.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced intense scrutiny over aviation safety protocols. Addressing the media, he remarked, "Midair collisions of this nature are not supposed to happen under standard aviation procedures."
Mourning and Memorials
In Wichita, Kansas, the community gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a statement pledging full support to the families of the victims, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to assisting those affected by the tragedy.
With recovery efforts still underway and investigations ongoing, the nation continues to grieve one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent U.S. history.
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