On Wednesday night, tragedy struck near Washington, D.C., when an American Eagle passenger jet collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.
The crash left no survivors, marking the first major U.S. commercial air disaster in nearly 16 years. Recovery efforts continue, as investigators search for answers about how this tragic accident occurred.
What Happened During the Collision?
The incident involved American Eagle Flight No. 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, which was approaching Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. after departing from Wichita, Kansas. The regional jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60 from the U.S. Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a training flight with three soldiers on board.
A livestream camera at the Kennedy Center in Washington captured the moment of the collision, which showed an explosion over the Potomac River at 8:47 p.m. Eastern.
The plane broke into multiple pieces, which scattered into the river’s shallow waters, while the helicopter flipped upside down but remained largely intact.
The Search and Recovery Efforts
Emergency crews, led by D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, initially launched a rescue operation but later shifted to a recovery mission when it became clear there were no survivors. As of Thursday evening, at least 40 bodies had been recovered, with human remains and debris washing up along the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
Divers have retrieved items such as luggage and parts of the plane’s cabin. The plane’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—commonly known as black boxes—were recovered and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) lab for analysis.
The helicopter’s wreckage, while mostly intact, remains submerged and upside down, making recovery efforts more challenging due to cold weather and rough conditions.
Who Were the Victims?
Among the victims were several prominent individuals, including top figure skaters and professionals from various fields:
- Athletes and Coaches:
Six people connected to the Skating Club of Boston were on board, including American figure skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Han, and renowned Russian-born coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova. Naumov and Shishkova, 1994 World Figure Skating champions, had been coaching in the U.S. and leave behind their son, Maxim Naumov, a competitive skater on Team USA. - Asra Hussain Raza:
A 26-year-old consultant who had recently relocated to Washington, D.C., for work. She was returning home from a work trip when the collision occurred. Raza had earned degrees from the University of Indiana and Columbia University. - Four Union Members:
Four members of the Maryland-based Steamfitters United Association Local 602, representing workers in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry, were also aboard the plane. - Ryan O’Hara:
The helicopter crew chief, identified as 29-year-old Ryan O’Hara, was a husband and father to a 1-year-old son. His local Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program paid tribute to him in a statement, highlighting his dedication and service.
Political and Public Reactions
President Donald Trump addressed the nation Thursday morning, confirming the absence of survivors and pledging to find out how the collision occurred. “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented,” Trump said during the briefing. He appointed Christopher Rocheleau as acting commissioner of the FAA to oversee aviation safety improvements.
However, Trump’s comments also stirred controversy as he criticized the Biden administration and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in aviation hiring. His statements drew backlash from Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called the remarks “idle speculation.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the administration’s focus on a thorough investigation, stating that the Pentagon was actively monitoring the situation. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine added that the footage of the collision raises many unanswered questions.
The Last Major U.S. Commercial Air Crashes
This collision is the first major U.S. commercial plane crash in nearly 16 years. The last occurred in February 2009, when a Continental Airlines flight crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing 49 people. Prior to that, American Airlines Flight 587 crashed near JFK Airport in New York in November 2001, killing 265 people.
The Road Ahead: Investigation Underway
The NTSB is working to determine what led to the midair collision. Investigators will analyze data from the black boxes, air traffic control recordings, and the flight paths of both aircraft. The investigation will consider factors such as mechanical failure, pilot error, and air traffic communication.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Hegseth have pledged swift action. “What happened should not have happened,” Duffy said. “We won’t accept excuses, and we will take responsibility to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.”
As the nation mourns the loss of 67 lives, investigators are working tirelessly to uncover what went wrong on that clear night near Washington, D.C. Families of the victims are left searching for answers, and officials are committed to making sure that future flights end safely at their destinations. The results of the investigation will be crucial in helping avoid such disasters in the future.