Washington, D.C. Jan 31 (V7N) – On Wednesday night, 67 people tragically lost their lives when an American Airlines passenger plane collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport. The crash led to a large-scale recovery operation as officials searched the Potomac River for bodies.

President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on Thursday, stating that "there are no survivors." He called the incident a "dark and excruciating night" for both the nation's capital and the country.

The crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. as American Airlines Flight 5342, which was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, attempted to land. The plane, carrying 64 people, collided with the Black Hawk, which was carrying three Army personnel. Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew members aboard both the plane and the helicopter were killed.

By early Thursday morning, officials had recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter. The search for additional victims transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery operation. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash but have stated that both the helicopter and plane crews were experienced and following standard flight procedures before the collision.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy mentioned that more details would be provided as the investigation unfolds. "Something went wrong here," Duffy stated, expressing confidence that the crash was "preventable."

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom confirmed that the pilots of the passenger plane were experienced, with the captain having flown for six years with the airline. The plane was reportedly on a normal approach when it collided with the helicopter.

The Black Hawk helicopter was performing an "annual proficiency training flight" when the crash occurred, according to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. He noted that the helicopter was equipped with night vision goggles and that the crew was experienced in night-time operations.

Among the victims were notable figures from the world of figure skating, including Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were former world champions in pairs figure skating. They had moved to the U.S. and worked as coaches. Other members of the Skating Club of Boston, including two teenagers and their parents, were also on the flight.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu called the crash a "terrible tragedy," urging the community to come together in support of those affected.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were clear but breezy. The water temperature in the Potomac River was cold, ranging from 33-36 degrees Fahrenheit, which could have hastened hypothermia in survivors.

As recovery efforts continue, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will analyze the wreckage of both the plane and the helicopter to determine the cause of the crash.

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