An American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers along with four crew members and an Army helicopter collided while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport close to the U.S. capital on Wednesday evening. This incident led to a significant search and rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. The plane wreck was discovered inverted and broken into three parts in shallow water, while the helicopter’s wreckage was also located, with three soldiers aboard at the time of the collision.
President Donald Trump confirmed that there were no survivors from the crash.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer from New York expressed concerns about Trump’s comments regarding the incident. Schumer criticized the president for spreading conspiracy theories related to the crash, stating, “It’s one thing for internet pundits to spew off conspiracy theories, it’s another for the president of the United States.” His remarks followed a news conference where Trump, after observing a moment of silence for the victims, proceeded to assign blame without substantiating evidence on air traffic controllers, helicopter pilots, and policies from past Democratic administrations that he held responsible. He also targeted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), claiming that diversity efforts had compromised air safety.
Trump reiterated his belief that the FAA’s approach to diversity has negatively impacted air safety during a White House briefing. He indicated the potential for sweeping changes at federal aviation agencies, suggesting possible dismissals for individuals he believed might not be “mentally competent” for their roles. He specifically pointed out air traffic controllers, asserting that they must be of “the highest level of genius.” On questioning, Trump backed his view with a statement about his “common sense.”
Expressing his condolences, Trump remarked during the briefing that “as one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly.” He noted that the reason behind the crash remains unclear, but investigations by the U.S. military and the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing. Trump emphasized the commitment to uncovering the circumstances of the incident to prevent future occurrences.
Following the accident, the Coast Guard joined the recovery efforts, deploying every available resource for search and rescue operations in the frigid Potomac waters. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated that all necessary precautions are being taken, including mobilizing pollution crews should the need arise. In collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, efforts are underway to remove the wreckage and ensure safety for passing river traffic.
Among the victims were two young figure skaters, their parents, and two esteemed Russian figure skating coaches who were onboard the aircraft, adding to the emotional toll within the skating community. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, expressed the tragedy’s long-reaching impact on their community during a press conference where his emotion was evident.
The crash is regarded as potentially the deadliest U.S. air disaster in almost 24 years, and as recovery operations continue, the searchers are facing difficult conditions in the cold waters where the aircraft crashed. Regarding the investigation, officials stated that the independent investigation led by the NTSB along with the FAA would probe deeply into what transpired.
All flights into and out of Reagan National Airport were suspended immediately after the collision, but the airport is anticipated to reopen by 11 a.m. the following morning as announced by the FAA. The weather conditions were reportedly clear at the time when the American Airlines flight was making its normal landing approach.
As searchers sift through the chilly waters, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed confidence that this tragedy could have been prevented. He guaranteed that flying in U.S. airspace remains safe and that the previous protocols were followed correctly before the unfortunate incident occurred. He noted that the airspace around Washington, D.C. is heavily monitored and controlled.
Reports indicated that at least 27 bodies had been recovered from the American Airlines jet, and officials expected the number to reflect the complete count of all persons aboard, as hopes for survivors dwindled swiftly after the collision.
Families of passengers remained on edge, anxiously waiting for updates on their loved ones. One wife, identified as a passenger aboard the flight from Wichita, generated concern when her husband received no further communication from her after she texted that they were 20 minutes from landing.
As the search and recovery operations continued amidst the cold, dark waters, the global figure skating community expressed its sorrow over the tragic loss, underscoring the tight-knit relationships within the sport. Meanwhile, the investigation remains ongoing to determine the details leading to this heartbreaking incident.
