Fatal Crash Near Washington, D.C.
An American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday night, leading to a devastating crash into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The collision, which occurred shortly before 9 p.m., involved a commercial flight from Wichita, Kansas, on its approach to Reagan National Airport. The American Airlines flight struck a Black Hawk helicopter, which was on a training mission and operated out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with a crew of three. The crash caused both aircraft to plummet into the river.
Recovery Efforts and Death Toll
By Thursday morning, recovery operations were underway, with the death toll rapidly rising. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief John Donnelly confirmed the discovery of 28 bodies, including 27 passengers from the American Airlines flight and one from the helicopter. As the day progressed, authorities reported that the number of bodies found had increased to at least 40, with search efforts still ongoing. Donnelly indicated that no survivors were expected from the crash, as the operation transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery one.
Impact on U.S. Figure Skating and Public Mourning
Among the victims of the crash were members of the U.S. figure skating community. The passengers on board included skaters, their family members, and coaches returning from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The national governing body for U.S. figure skating expressed its sorrow, confirming that several of its members were among those on the ill-fated flight. In response to the tragedy, President Trump offered his condolences during a press briefing, observing a moment of silence for the victims. “We are in mourning,” he stated, acknowledging the global impact of the crash, which also involved individuals from other countries.
As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the collision, one of the two black boxes from the American Airlines flight has been recovered. Law enforcement officials are working alongside the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense to gather more information from the wreckage in the coming days.
