Picture credits: To respective owners
Washington: January 30 – A tragic mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter is feared to have claimed several lives on the evening of January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision resulted in both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River.
Updates
Feb 05 2025
All 67 victims from the helicopter and plane crash in the Potomac River have been recovered, with 66 of the bodies positively identified. Crews are still working to remove wreckage, including large parts of the jet from the river.
“Large lifts will continue through Tuesday evening, with unloading expected when environmental and tidal conditions allow on Wednesday,” the Unified Command said. “Operations will then shift to recovering wreckage from the Black Hawk helicopter.”
Feb 01 2025
Indian-Origin Victim Identified
Vikesh Patel was among the 67 fatalities in a collision between a military helicopter and a commercial aircraft at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington.
Vikesh Patel, who lived in the Greater Cincinnati area, had recently been promoted to MRO Transformational Leader at GE Aerospace, a role with national responsibilities. GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO Larry Culp confirmed Patel was on the flight and expressed condolences to his family, calling his death a tragedy for both the industry and GE Aerospace. Patel had worked at GE Aerospace for over ten years, holding positions such as Engine Assembly Engineer, Production Planner, Senior Operations Manager, Lean Transformation Coach, and Site Leader before his latest promotion, according to PTI report.
Image source: LinkedIN ( Vikesh Patel)
Feb 01 2025
41 Bodies Recovered so far
As of Friday, 41 bodies had been recovered, officials said, including the three service members on the Black Hawk. 28 bodies out of 41 have been identified. All 67 people involved in the crash are presumed dead.
Picture credits: US Coast Guard
Feb 01 2025
The“black box” from the Black Hawk helicopter, which collided with a passenger jet in Washington, D.C., has now been recovered, according to the National Transport Safety Board.
Both boxes from the American Airlines aircraft were previously found, and all three devices will now be taken for analysis, NTSB spokesman Todd Inman said on Friday.
Crash Overview: The American Airlines regional jet, Flight 5342 operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter on a training flight. The helicopter, with three personnel aboard, was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
The collision occurred shortly around 9 p.m. local time, sending both aircraft into the freezing waters of the Potomac River. Emergency response teams arrived immediately and have been working tirelessly to recover the victims. As of the latest reports, at least 30 bodies have been recovered by 6:45a a.m. ET, with no survivors confirmed so far.
A shocking video of the crash has also been shared on social media.
⚡️CCTV footage from the Kennedy Center in Washington DC allegedly shows the moment a plane crashed into a helicopter during landing at Reagan International Airport pic.twitter.com/9sVqnfXH46
— RT (@RT_com) January 30, 2025
Two data recorders, AKA “black boxes”, have been recovered by a dive team, CBS News reported. Divers made the discovery as human remains and debris began washing up on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
US Figure Skating Community Among Victims: US Figure Skating confirmed that several members of its community were aboard the American Airlines flight. These individuals included athletes, coaches, and family members who were returning from the National Development Camp, held alongside the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
A statement from US Figure Skating expressed the organization’s devastation: “US Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
Among the individuals feared to be aboard was former Russian world champion ice skater Yevgenia Shishkova, along with her husband and training partner Vadim Naumov. The couple had been in the U.S. coaching young skaters. Their son, Maxim, also a skater, was also feared to be among the victims. Former Soviet skater Inna Volyanskaya, who had been training young skaters in the U.S., was also reportedly aboard.
Air Traffic Control Audio and Investigation: Audio from air traffic control operations revealed the final moments of communication before the crash. The controller asked the helicopter pilot if the commercial jet was in sight, and the pilot confirmed visual contact. The pilot was heard saying to the ATC, “I need to land immediately”. However, less than 13 seconds later, a loud gasp was heard in the background as the collision took place.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with military authorities, is investigating the incident. Preliminary reports suggest that a breakdown in communication between the aircraft and air traffic control may have contributed to the crash. The FAA is also conducting an inquiry into the matter.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts: More than 300 first responders, including the FBI’s dive team, have been working in the cold, rough conditions of the Potomac River, where the depth averages 24 feet. The conditions have been challenging, with icy waters and strong winds hampering rescue efforts.
Flight Disruptions: The crash caused a significant disruption in air traffic at Reagan National Airport. Approximately 19 aircraft were in the air at the time and were diverted to Dulles International Airport, about 20 miles west. More than 850 flights were scheduled to depart and arrive at Reagan National on January 29 and 30, with many being canceled or delayed.
Historic Parallel: Air Florida Flight 90 The collision near Washington, D.C. recalls a similar disaster that took place 43 years ago. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River after striking the 14th Street Bridge shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport. That crash, caused by multiple failures, including the plane’s icy wings and engines, claimed the lives of 74 people, including four individuals on the bridge.
Ongoing Search and Investigation: The NTSB continues to gather evidence, while local authorities remain focused on recovery efforts. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed condolences and praised the first responders. She confirmed that the investigation would continue, with no timeline yet available for its conclusion.
American Airlines CEO said, “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.
American Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available. Please monitor news.aa.com and American’s official X account @AmericanAir for the latest information.”
The FAA has confirmed that Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 5 a.m. local time on January 31, 2025.
Picture credits: Alex Brandon/AP
Stay tuned to Aviation Today to learn more updates.
