Tragic Collision Between American Eagle Plane and Black Hawk Helicopter Near D.C. Claims 64 Lives
A commercial flight and military helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., killing 64 people, including civilians and military personnel. Recovery operations are ongoing.
WASHINGTON — A devastating midair collision between an American Eagle plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening has claimed the lives of 64 people. The crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. ET, with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.
The tragic accident resulted in the deaths of 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Eagle flight, as well as three soldiers from the Army Black Hawk helicopter. President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Thursday, calling the incident a “tragedy of terrible proportions” and confirming there were no survivors.
Details About the Plane and its Passengers
The American Eagle flight, identified as Flight 5342, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C. According to American Airlines, the flight was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The airline has announced that the flight number 5342 will be retired in accordance with standard aviation protocols following a major accident.
Among the passengers on board were 28 members of the figure skating community, including several elite athletes from the U.S. and Russia who had been returning from a competition in Wichita. Notably, six of the victims were affiliated with The Skating Club of Boston, including two coaches, two teenage athletes, and their mothers.
Details About the Helicopter and Its Crew
The U.S. Army confirmed that the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was operating out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crew, consisting of three soldiers, was on an annual proficiency training flight. Military officials described the crew as highly experienced, including an instructor pilot with more than 1,000 flight hours. The helicopter was part of the Bravo Company 12th Aviation Battalion.
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Investigation
Recovery operations are underway, with divers and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) teams working to recover remains from the Potomac River. As of Saturday, 42 sets of remains have been recovered, and officials have stated that they expect all bodies to be retrieved. The NTSB has also recovered both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder from the American Eagle plane, as well as the black box from the Black Hawk helicopter. These devices are being analyzed to assist in determining the cause of the crash.
Investigation and Possible Causes
The NTSB, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army, is leading the investigation. Investigators are examining several factors, including the air traffic control communications, the pilots' actions, and the helicopter's flight path. Preliminary reports suggest that weather and communication were not contributing factors, as skies were clear and pilots maintained standard communication with air traffic control at the time of the collision.
The NTSB has noted that understanding the altitude at which the Black Hawk helicopter was operating when the crash occurred will be a key component of the investigation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the pilots of both the plane and the helicopter were experienced, and air traffic control was staffed with five individuals at the time of the incident.
Controversial Comments by Trump
President Trump’s remarks about the incident sparked controversy when he implied that diversity, equity, and inclusion policies might have played a role in the crash. Trump suggested that air traffic controllers should be "naturally talented" and "geniuses," regardless of their background. His comments, made during a press conference on Thursday, were met with criticism from some aviation experts and the public.
The NTSB has emphasized that it will take time to thoroughly investigate the cause of the crash and will release a formal report once all evidence has been reviewed.
As recovery operations continue, the world mourns the loss of 64 lives, including those from the international figure skating community, military personnel, and other innocent passengers aboard the doomed flight and helicopter.