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Washington, D.C. – A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening has left no survivors. Authorities have confirmed that all 67 people aboard both aircraft perished in the tragic accident.

The crash, which occurred at approximately 9:00 PM local time, resulted in the passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700 operating as American Airlines flight 5342, plunging into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The U.S. Army helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk from Fort Belvoir’s 12th Aviation Battalion, also crashed into the river, landing upside down.

Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Authorities are still working to recover bodies from the wreckage, hampered by treacherous conditions including floating ice and strong currents. Flight data recorders from the passenger jet have been retrieved and are being analyzed as investigators seek to determine the exact cause of the collision.

The 64 passengers aboard the commercial flight included several top-ranked figure skaters, as well as four crew members. The helicopter carried three soldiers who were conducting an annual night proficiency evaluation with the aid of night-vision goggles.

Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a dramatic sequence of events leading up to the crash. Ari Schulman, a bystander, described seeing the plane banking sharply with “streams of sparks” underneath, while another witness, Jimmy Mazeo, recalled spotting what appeared to be a “white flare” in the sky. Some also noted that planes appeared to be flying in “irregular patterns” before the collision.

Initial investigations indicate that the helicopter may have been flying above its permitted altitude. Air traffic control recordings suggest that a controller attempted to warn the helicopter of the incoming jet seconds before impact. Despite the helicopter pilot acknowledging the warning, the two aircraft collided moments later.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a full investigation is underway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading efforts to determine whether human error, mechanical failure, or adverse flight conditions played a role in the crash.

Families Mourn the Tragic Loss

As rescue crews continue their painstaking work, grieving families have gathered along the banks of the Potomac River to pay tribute to their lost loved ones. This marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2009, sending shockwaves through both the aviation and military communities.

Officials have vowed to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies of this magnitude. More details are expected as authorities complete their analysis of flight data and wreckage from the crash site.

Courtesy of BBC News