On the evening of January 29, tragedy struck the skies near Reagan Washington National Airport when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the accident occurred as the passenger jet was approaching Washington, D.C., after departing from Wichita, Kansas. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, leaving no known survivors.
What Happened?
Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it collided midair with the military helicopter, which had three people onboard. The District of Columbia Fire Chief, John Donnelly, announced on January 31 that the rescue mission had transitioned into a recovery operation, with officials presuming all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft had perished.
“At this point, we do not believe there were any survivors,” Donnelly stated in a press briefing. “We will work tirelessly to recover all victims and return them to their families.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shed light on the circumstances of the accident, noting that the Black Hawk was following a standard flight pattern commonly seen in the Washington, D.C., area. “If you live in D.C., you’ll often see helicopters moving along the river in this way,” Duffy explained.
Who Were the Victims?
Among those lost in the crash were 14 American figure skaters, along with their coaches and family members, who were returning home from a national training camp. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed the heartbreaking loss in a statement, calling the tragedy “unspeakable.”
Also among the victims were Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had been married since 1995. Russian officials expressed their condolences, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledging the devastating news.
Hamaad Raza, who was waiting for his wife’s arrival at the airport, spoke of his desperate hope in the aftermath. “I’m just praying someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he told CBS affiliate WUSA9.
Additionally, Cedarville University confirmed that one of its students, Grace Maxwell, had been onboard after attending her grandfather’s funeral.
On the military side, the Black Hawk helicopter belonged to Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Officials stated that the aircraft had been conducting a training mission at the time of the collision.
What Comes Next?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with support from the FAA, the U.S. Army, and the Pentagon. Former aviation investigator Jeff Guzzetti emphasized that air traffic control communications will be a key focus. “The NTSB will analyze the radar data and interview the controllers involved,” he told reporters.
On January 30, investigators recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders—commonly known as “black boxes”—from the downed jet, which are expected to provide critical insights into the crash.
Reactions to the Tragedy
President Donald J. Trump extended his condolences, stating, “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. I am monitoring the situation closely.”
Figure skating champion Ilia Malinin, who had won his third consecutive U.S. title in Wichita days earlier, confirmed he was not on the flight but shared a heartfelt message on social media: “I hope and pray for everyone on that flight.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu described the loss as one that would forever connect the cities of Wichita and Washington, D.C. “Our hearts are heavy,” she said. “This tragedy has deeply impacted our community.”
Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, who once trained at the Skating Club of Boston—where six victims were members—broke down in tears while speaking to reporters. “It’s a huge loss, and when you personally know some of the victims, it just makes it even more painful.”
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, families and communities are left grieving the sudden and devastating loss of so many lives.
