A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night has left no survivors, officials confirmed. The crash, just three miles from the White House, marks the first fatal accident involving a major U.S. airline in over 15 years.
Collision in Clear Skies
The American Airlines jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, was on its final approach to Reagan National Airport when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter with three Army personnel aboard. Despite clear weather conditions and standard flight paths, the two aircraft struck each other moments after the helicopter crew reported visual contact with the jet. A nearby webcam captured the fiery impact, sending debris plunging into the icy Potomac.
Rescue teams, battling freezing winds and jet fuel-slicked waters, have so far recovered 27 bodies. Officials say the death toll includes skaters and their families returning from a national development camp, a group of hunters, and both flight crews.
Victims: A Community in Mourning
The tragic loss has sent shockwaves through the figure skating world, as multiple young athletes, their families, and renowned Russian coaches Yevgeniya Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among those killed. The Skating Club of Boston confirmed six of its members were on board, while a Northern Virginia family of three, including a teenage skater, also perished.
Among the other victims were a group of seven friends returning from a hunting trip, as well as the American Airlines crew, including pilot Jonathan J. Campos, co-pilot Sam Lilley, and flight attendant Danasia Brown Elder. The identities of the three Army crew members remain undisclosed.
Control Tower Staffing Under Scrutiny
A preliminary government report has raised serious concerns about air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport at the time of the crash. According to the findings, the control tower was operating with only two people performing tasks typically assigned to four, a decision that may have contributed to the tragedy. One of the roles—overseeing helicopter movements—had been combined with a position managing local air traffic.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Air Traffic Controllers Association have yet to respond to questions about staffing policies, but safety advocates have long warned of the risks posed by an understaffed tower in Washington’s crowded airspace.
Political Fallout and Safety Concerns
The crash has reignited debates over air traffic safety, flight congestion, and the dangers of military and commercial aircraft sharing the same airspace near the nation’s capital. In recent years, lawmakers have raised concerns about Reagan National operating beyond its capacity, with traffic exceeding 25 million passengers annually—far above its intended 15 million.
President Donald Trump and his administration were quick to politicize the tragedy, with Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speculating that diversity and inclusion initiatives played a role in the disaster. When pressed for evidence, Trump simply stated, “I have common sense.” The remarks sparked outrage, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling Trump’s response “despicable.”
Meanwhile, an FAA safety report revealed that just one day before the fatal crash, another aircraft had to abort its landing at Reagan National due to a helicopter unexpectedly appearing in its flight path.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full-scale investigation into the collision, focusing on air traffic control decisions, communication protocols, and the technology available to both aircraft to prevent such incidents. Officials have warned that definitive answers may take months.
For now, Washington and the broader aviation community mourn the loss of 67 lives in what is already being described as one of the most catastrophic air disasters in recent U.S. history.
