Washington, Jan. 30, 2025 — U.S. authorities are investigating the cause of a tragic collision between a regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, making it the deadliest air disaster in the United States in over two decades.
On Wednesday night, January 29, an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River while preparing for landing. Sadly, no survivors were reported, and the victims included promising young figure skaters and residents of Kansas, where the flight originated.
Among those killed were citizens from the U.S., Russia, the Philippines, and Germany. Chinese state media reported that two Chinese nationals also perished in the incident.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have recovered the black boxes from the jet, consisting of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. A preliminary report on the collision is expected within 30 days. NTSB member Todd Inman confirmed that the military helicopter was equipped with recording devices that would be analyzed in accordance with agreements between the NTSB and the Department of Defense.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with Washington's fire and emergency department conducting searches in the Potomac River to locate aircraft components. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that both aircraft were operating within standard flight patterns prior to the collision, and there appeared to be no breakdown in communication.
"Everything was routine up to the point of the accident," Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin stated. He confirmed that more than half of the bodies had already been recovered. The airport, located just across the river from Washington, D.C., is one of the busiest in the country.
In a controversial statement, former President Donald Trump suggested that the federal government's diversity initiatives may have contributed to the accident, sparking criticism from rights groups and Democrats for politicizing the tragedy. Trump also criticized the helicopter pilots and raised concerns about air traffic controllers' performance, despite recordings showing that controllers had alerted the helicopter about the approaching jet and advised it to change course.
While communications were managed by a single air traffic controller that evening, sources indicated this arrangement was considered adequate for the expected lower traffic volume. There has been growing concern over a shortage of air traffic controllers in the U.S., with approximately 3,000 fewer than needed, leading to mandatory overtime and extended shifts at several facilities.
The airspace around the U.S. capital is frequently congested, and there have been multiple close calls at Reagan National Airport in the past. Trump's claims regarding the impact of diversity initiatives have not been substantiated, and evidence does not suggest these efforts compromise air safety.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg condemned Trump's remarks, stating, "As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying." Critics argue that Trump is undermining progress made in diversity initiatives aimed at addressing historical inequities.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom confirmed that the pilot of the American Eagle Flight 5342 had approximately six years of flying experience, and the Bombardier jet was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary. The helicopter was flown by a well-trained crew of three soldiers wearing night-vision goggles.
Air traffic control recordings captured final communications with the helicopter, call sign PAT25, moments before the collision. Eyewitness reports indicated a fireball erupted following the impact.
This incident marks the deadliest U.S. air disaster since November 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed after departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 people onboard and five on the ground.
The NTSB has responded to nine incidents at Reagan National Airport this century, including two fatal accidents.
Source: Reuters
Photo: AP