A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when an American Airlines aircraft, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with an Army helicopter while attempting to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. This serious accident initiated a major search-and-rescue operation in the icy waters of the Potomac River.
Authorities have reportedly recovered at least 28 bodies from the river and believe there may be no survivors, which, if confirmed, would mark the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009. The airplane was discovered upside down, fragmented into three sections in shallow water, alongside debris from the helicopter, which had three soldiers on board.
President Donald Trump addressed the media, expressing his condolences and confirming that there were no survivors. He stated, “As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,” and added that both the military and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed all available resources for rescue and recovery efforts in collaboration with other agencies. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized their readiness to assist local responders and highlighted the activation of pollution control teams in anticipation of possible environmental impact.
In a show of support, President Trump expressed his condolences via social media, acknowledging the emergency responders’ efforts and stating, “May God Bless their souls.”
Among the victims were two young figure skaters, their parents, and two renowned Russian figure skating coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017. Their presence on the flight was confirmed, as they had attended a development camp following the recent national championships in Wichita, Kansas.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has joined the National Transportation Safety Board in investigating the incident. The Ronald Reagan National Airport, a crucial gateway to the U.S. capital, will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. on Thursday as authorities work to clear the area and assess the scene.
Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly expressed confidence that the remains of the victims would be recovered but cautioned that this process could take time. He noted that the flight had been operating under clear weather conditions when the collision occurred.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the circumstances leading to the accident were concerning and noted that the current situation appears to indicate that it was potentially preventable. He reassured the public of air travel safety while emphasizing that investigations are underway to understand the tragedy better.
As recovery operations continue, a family member shared his distress over his wife’s fate, who was aboard the American Airlines flight, highlighting the personal anguish felt by many awaiting updates about their loved ones.
The Kremlin also confirmed that Russian nationals, including the skate coaches, were on the jet. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, expressed sorrow over the confirmed reports of fatalities and extended condolences to grieving families.
Rescue teams faced challenging conditions while searching through the chilly waters of the river. Eyewitnesses described a somber atmosphere at the airport terminal where travelers and staff reacted with shock as events unfolded and information began to emerge.
The incident represents a significant aviation tragedy in the United States, with the last similar event dating back to 2009 when a plane crash in New York led to the loss of 50 lives. As investigations unfold, the aviation community and broader public await insights into how such a catastrophic event could have happened.
