Everything About the Air Crash in Washington That is Known So Far

By
Ong Weimin
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On 29 January 2025, American Eagle Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas was expected to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at 9 pm. 

Unfortunately, the American Airlines-owned Bombardier CRJ700 regional jetliner, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter that had three soldiers aboard at 8.47 pm, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and Defense Department officials.

The collision is the most fatal aviation disaster in the United States since 12 November 2001, nearly 24 years ago.

After the crash, the jet exploded into a massive fireball before both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River, igniting a huge search-and-rescue operation in the middle of fierce winds and icy cold water. 

District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly has said that efforts have switched to a recovery operation amidst extremely rough conditions. Aside from the wreckage, river divers also need to work in around eight-foot-deep waters with pieces of ice floating.

Investigation Ongoing

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and is supported by the military and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA’s preliminary report found that staffing at the DCA air traffic control tower was “abnormal” during the crash. 

The air traffic controller handling helicopters in the airport’s vicinity on Wednesday night was also instructing planes landing and departing from its runways, jobs usually assigned to two different controllers.

The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the debris and will be analysed at the NTSB lab located about a mile from the crash site.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom shared that it is unknown why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft.

Newly sworn-in Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said at a press conference on Thursday morning that both aircraft were operating in normal flight patterns.

Updates on the Search Operation

United States President Donald Trump confirmed at a White House press briefing on 30 January 2025 that there were “no survivors” onboard both aircraft.

A law enforcement source shared that at least 40 bodies have been recovered 

Among the victims were leading figure skaters from Russia and the United States, including six people with links to the Skating Club of Boston.

ccording to the skating club’s CEO and executive director Doug Zeghibe, Athletes Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their mothers Jin Han and Christine Lane, and skating coaches Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were on the flight.

These passengers were returning home after attending the National Development Camp held in connection with the recent US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

Union leaders of a Maryland-based labour union, the Steamfitters United Association Local 602, shared on the social media platform Facebook that four members were also on the flight.

Another victim, 26-year-old Asra Hussain Raza, who was travelling home from a work trip, was also revealed by her father-in-law, Hashim Raza.

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Ong Weimin