ARLINGTON, Va. — Recovery efforts intensified over the weekend as teams and divers combed through the Potomac River, searching for remains and clearing debris following the tragic midair collision involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter that claimed the lives of 67 individuals.
A Coast Guard vessel equipped with a crane positioned itself near the wreckage, while recovery personnel periodically entered the river amid a fleet of smaller emergency crafts. After the devastating incident that occurred on Wednesday evening, it has been confirmed that no survivors were found. As of Friday afternoon, the remains of 41 victims have been retrieved from the river; among them, 28 have been positively identified. Investigators remain optimistic that they will recover all remains, although it is likely that the fuselage of the aircraft will need to be extracted from the water to locate the remaining bodies. Washington, D.C., Fire Chief John Donnelly Sr. provided updates to reporters on the situation.
The collision, which took place as an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas was descending toward Ronald Reagan National Airport, involved the aircraft striking an Army Black Hawk helicopter that had entered its flight path. The helicopter was carrying three soldiers. According to Army representatives, the helicopter crew was notably experienced and well-acquainted with the busy air traffic in the area. Military helicopters routinely conduct training flights in urban environments to prepare for potential evacuations of high-profile government officials during emergencies.
An update from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is anticipated later on Saturday. Investigators are scrutinizing both the military pilot’s decisions and the actions of air traffic control. While NTSB investigations typically span a year, a preliminary assessment is expected to be released within the next 30 days. Factors that could have contributed to the collision, including the helicopter’s altitude and the use of night vision equipment by the crew, are still under discussion, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on Fox News Channel. Notably, the black boxes from both aircraft have been retrieved.
Officials indicated that over 300 responders were engaged in the recovery operations simultaneously. Favorable weather conditions emerged on Saturday following a rainy Friday, which benefited the recovery teams in the field. Additionally, two Navy salvage barges were anticipated to arrive, aiding efforts to lift the heavier debris. Chief Donnelly expressed the emotional toll of the recovery efforts, stating, “This is heartbreaking work.”
Amidst the national mourning for the collision, another tragedy unfolded when an air ambulance plane crashed into a busy intersection in a densely populated Philadelphia area on Friday night. This incident resulted in six fatalities, including a child who had recently been treated at a local hospital. At least one individual on the ground also lost their life, while three others remained hospitalized on Saturday, as officials anticipated the eventual revelation of the full impact on casualties.
In response to the Washington collision, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) significantly restricted helicopter operations around Reagan National Airport on Friday, following President Donald Trump’s remark on social media suggesting that the helicopter was flying at an altitude higher than permitted.
NTSB member Todd Inman disclosed that investigators have interviewed at least one air traffic controller present during the incident, with more interviews forthcoming. The number of controllers on duty at the time of the crash remains unclear, and investigators will also assess staffing levels, training, and other relevant factors while reviewing the controllers’ records. The FAA has historically grappled with shortages in air traffic control personnel.
While it has been established that the helicopter’s maximum allowable altitude was 200 feet, officials have not confirmed whether it exceeded that limit. However, President Trump suggested on Friday, one day after questioning the helicopter pilot’s actions and attributing safety concerns to diversity initiatives, that the helicopter was “flying too high.” He remarked, “It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” via a post on Truth Social.
The crash on Wednesday marks the deadliest aviation accident in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when a jetliner crashed into a residential area in Queens, New York, shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport, resulting in 265 fatalities. Aviation experts routinely emphasize that air travel remains exceedingly safe, although the congested airspace surrounding Reagan National Airport can pose challenges, even for seasoned pilots.
