A tragic midair collision occurred last night near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Authorities have reported that no survivors are expected from this incident.
Casualties: Emergency responders have recovered 28 bodies so far. The American Airlines flight, en route from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 64 passengers and crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board.
Victims: Among the deceased are several members of the figure skating community, including 1994 world champions in pairs, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were returning from a developmental camp in Wichita.
Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the collision. American Airlines noted that the pilots of Flight 5342 were experienced in complex commercial operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Black Hawk was conducting an annual proficiency training flight at the time of the accident.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation, confirming the absence of survivors and indicating that the White House has “strong opinions” regarding the factors that led to this tragic event.
Recovery operations are ongoing, with officials expressing confidence in retrieving the remains of all victims. The NTSB’s investigation aims to uncover the circumstances that led to this devastating collision.
