Washington Midair Collision Claims 67 Lives
Washington Midair Collision Claims 67 Lives; Victims Include Teen Skaters, Hunters, and Students
A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River late Wednesday, January 30, 2025, has left no survivors among the 67 people on board both aircraft. The victims included teenage figure skaters returning from a national competition, a college student traveling home from her grandfather’s funeral, a group of hunters, and three soldiers. The crash occurred as the jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the river from Washington, D.C.
At least 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River, according to officials. President Donald Trump confirmed the devastating news during a White House press conference, stating that no one survived the collision. Fire Chief John Donnelly of Washington, D.C., announced that the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery.
As communities mourn the loss, faith leaders held a vigil in the city council chambers on Thursday. Reverend Pamela Hughes Mason of Wichita’s St. Paul AME Church urged unity, saying, “The only way we will get through this is together.”
American Airlines has established a hotline (1-800-679-8215) and support centers in Washington and Wichita for families seeking information about loved ones who may have been on the flight. Here’s what we know about the victims:
- Teen Skaters and Coaches: Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, two young skaters returning from a national meet, were among those killed. Their mothers, Jin Han and Christine Lane, as well as their coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, also perished in the crash. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, confirmed the heartbreaking news.
- Fairfax County Students and Parents: Three students from schools in Fairfax County, Virginia, and six parents from the district were on the plane, according to Superintendent Michelle Reid. Two of the parents were current or former district staff members.
- Hunters Returning from Kansas: Seven individuals returning from a guided hunting trip in Kansas were killed. The guide service, Fowl Plains, expressed deep sorrow in a Facebook post, describing the hunters as “family” and recalling their shared laughter and memories during the trip.
- Union Members: Four steamfitters from a United Association union local in suburban Maryland were also among the victims. Union leaders Mark McManus and Chris Madello pledged support for the families of their “Brothers” in a social media post.
- Helicopter Crew: The bodies of all three soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter have been recovered. They were conducting an annual night proficiency training flight, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described the crew as “fairly experienced.” The wife of one pilot, Andrew Eaves of Mississippi, confirmed his death in a heartfelt Facebook post, asking for prayers for all grieving families.
The plane was found upside-down in three sections in waist-deep water, with the helicopter wreckage also located nearby. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated that the jet was on a normal approach when the helicopter entered its path. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report revealed that a single air traffic controller was managing both helicopter and plane traffic at the time of the crash, a deviation from standard procedures. The FAA has long faced challenges with air traffic controller shortages.
This crash marks the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 25 years, surpassing the 2001 American Airlines Flight 587 crash in New York that killed 260 people. Despite the tragedy, experts emphasize that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, with fatalities being exceedingly rare compared to other forms of travel.
As the nation grieves, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims and uncovering the full details of this heartbreaking incident.
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