Recovery teams have recovered over two dozen bodies from the icy Potomac River following the collision of an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, marking one of the worst aviation disasters in years.
Tragedy in the Skies: 67 Lives Lost in Air Collision Near Washington
Tragedy in the Skies: 67 Lives Lost in Air Collision Near Washington
A devastating midair collision leaves no survivors as investigation unfolds.
On January 29, 2025, a tragic collision occurred near Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulting in the deaths of 67 individuals. The American Airlines jet, which took off from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 passengers when it collided midair with a U.S. Army helicopter that was transporting three service members.
The accident took place on a Wednesday evening and has been labeled the most severe incident involving a commercial jet in the United States since 2009. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports show that air traffic control was operating under unusual circumstances; one controller was managing both helicopter and plane traffic, a task normally divided between multiple personnel.
Among the passengers aboard the flight were several U.S. and Russian figure skaters returning from a training camp following the national championships. The tragic event raises urgent questions about air traffic safety protocols and controller workloads.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated a thorough investigation, reviewing communication between air traffic controllers and the pilots leading up to the accident. Maps and graphics detailing the final moments before the crash are being analyzed to uncover what went wrong in the critical seconds leading up to the collision.
The accident took place on a Wednesday evening and has been labeled the most severe incident involving a commercial jet in the United States since 2009. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports show that air traffic control was operating under unusual circumstances; one controller was managing both helicopter and plane traffic, a task normally divided between multiple personnel.
Among the passengers aboard the flight were several U.S. and Russian figure skaters returning from a training camp following the national championships. The tragic event raises urgent questions about air traffic safety protocols and controller workloads.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated a thorough investigation, reviewing communication between air traffic controllers and the pilots leading up to the accident. Maps and graphics detailing the final moments before the crash are being analyzed to uncover what went wrong in the critical seconds leading up to the collision.
