ARLINGTON, Va. — A devastating midair collision involving an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight has led to the tragic loss of all 67 individuals onboard, according to officials on Thursday. The incident, marking the most catastrophic aviation disaster in the United States in nearly 25 years, is being thoroughly investigated, with scrutiny directed at the actions of the military pilot and the unusual staffing levels at the control tower during the incident.
Authorities confirmed that at least 28 bodies were recovered from the frigid Potomac River after the helicopter entered the flight path of the jet during its landing approach at Ronald Reagan National Airport late Wednesday. The ill-fated American Airlines flight had 60 passengers and 4 crew members aboard, while the helicopter was occupied by three soldiers.
A report from the Federal Aviation Administration indicated that only one air traffic controller was managing tasks usually assigned to two individuals when the collision occurred, leading to concerns about the operational status at that critical moment. “The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the report detailed.
President Donald Trump addressed the media at a White House press conference, stating, “We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.” Fire Chief John Donnelly gave updates about recovery efforts, confirming the plane had been located upside-down in sections submerged in waist-deep water. First responders extended their search southward along the Potomac River as far as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
This incident represents the deadliest air crash in the U.S. since 2001, with officials stating that the flight conditions were normal as the aircraft arrived from Wichita, Kansas. “On final approach into Reagan National, it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach,” commented Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines.
Army aviation officials noted that the Black Hawk crew was highly experienced and well-acquainted with the busy airspace surrounding Washington, D.C. Those pilots had flown this route at night previously and were familiar with the area, according to Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation.
It is still under investigation whether the helicopter exceeded its maximum authorized altitude of 200 feet at the time of the incident. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that altitude was likely a contributing factor in the crash. Koziol emphasized the need for thorough examination of flight data before arriving at any conclusions regarding the altitude factors involved.
During the press conference, Trump took a moment to honor the victims with silence but shifted focus to assign political blame, targeting former President Biden and FAA diversity policies while stating that the cause of the crash was not yet determined. He made accusations against air traffic controllers and helicopter pilots without presenting evidence of fault.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Ronald Reagan National Airport remained somber as stranded passengers awaited flight resumption, reflecting on the tragedy that unfolded nearby. Aster Andemicael, who was at the airport with her elderly father bound for Indiana, expressed her grief, saying, “I’ve been crying since yesterday.”
Flights resumed around midday following the incident. Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commented that there were initial indicators regarding the crash’s cause, though he refrained from providing specificities.
This incident marks the deadliest aviation crash in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed shortly after taking off from Kennedy Airport in New York, leading to the deaths of 260 individuals. The last notable commercial airline crash occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers aboard a Bombardier DHC-8.
Despite the tragedy, experts highlight the overall safety of air travel, noting that the odds of dying in a plane crash are exceedingly low compared to car accidents. Wednesday’s flight included a group of figure skaters returning from a development camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, among whom were noted Russian figure skaters who had previously found success in their sport.
The crash notably unsettles Wichita, whose community holds deep ties to the aircraft manufacturing industry, and it stood as a major host for the skating event earlier that year. The community gathered for a prayer vigil to support the families affected by the tragedy. As the investigation into this catastrophic incident continues, the profound impact of the loss is felt nationwide.
The FAA reported that the crash occurred before 9 p.m. EST in one of the world’s most closely monitored airspaces, just over three miles away from major governmental landmarks. American Airlines Flight 5342 was approaching Reagan National at approximately 400 feet and 140 mph when it abruptly lost altitude just prior to the crash.
Controllers had instructed the airline to land on a shorter runway and, shortly before the disaster, engaged the helicopter pilot about the incoming aircraft. Within seconds, the two aircraft collided, marking a tragic moment in aviation history.
