Potomac Crash
Live Blog EndedJan 31, 2025

Recap: Black boxes recovered from plane, helicopter crash that left no survivors

A large search-and-rescue effort has turned into a recovery mission for 67 people presumed dead after an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River

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D.C. Fire and EMS said divers will work with the NTSB Friday to conduct additional searches to locate aircraft parts and begin operations to salvage the American Airlines jet and the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night. News4’s Jackie Bensen reports.

This live blog about the Potomac River crash has ended. Find live updates from Friday here.

What to Know

  • A regional jet with 60 passengers and four crew members and an Army helicopter with three crewmembers aboard collided midair about 9 p.m. ET Wednesday.
  • PSA Airlines was operating the jet as American Airlines Flight 5342. It departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport in Northern Virginia before the crash.
  • More than 300 first responders from around the Washington, D.C., region took part in the search-and-rescue mission, which became a recovery mission on Thursday morning.
  • As of Thursday evening, an estimated 40 bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said he did not expect to find survivors.
  • The airport reopened at 11 a.m. ET Thursday.

Recovery operations are underway after an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

22 DAYS AGO11:19 PM EST

NTSB posts photo of black boxes recovered from jet

The NTSB posted a photo of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders recovered from American Airlines Flight 5342.

The NTSB said earlier on Thursday that the black boxes will be analyzed by them or the Department of Defense.

The black boxes of the military helicopter have not been recovered.

23 DAYS AGO10:53 PM EST

Sen. Kaine warned about adding flights at DCA after near collision in 2024

For years, some members of the Virginia congressional delegate have sounded the alarm about the busy airspace at Reagan National.

After a near collision in April, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaking on the Senate floor, warned against adding more flights.

“The incident yesterday was a big warning light, flashing red, telling Congress not to take steps that would weaken this airport,” said.

But Congress added five daily round trips as part of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act.

Virginia lawmakers express concern about crowded airspace
Lawmakers from Virginia expressed renewed concerns about the crowded airspace around Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey reports.
23 DAYS AGO10:16 PM EST

Sen. Van Hollen voices concern over congestion at Reagan National 

Reagan National was designed to handle 15 million passengers a year, according to airport managers, but today it handles 25 million per year.

While some in Congress have pushed for increasing flight capacity, some local members opposed it.

“The senators from Virginia and myself have been very concerned about the congestion at Reagan National,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. “It is the most congested airport in the country. So, we do believe that in order to protect public safety, we shouldn’t cram even more flights into that already congested airport.

“Last year, we witnessed a near miss at Reagan National,” he said. “I do not know what the cause of this most recent collision was. It clearly was avoidable based on what we know. But beyond that I am concerned about the fact that Reagan National is so congested and what it could mean for the safety of the flying public.”

Potomac crash puts new spotlight on concerns about DCA congestion
The News4 I-Team's Tracee Wilkins reports on the ongoing concerns about congestion at Reagan National Airport.
23 DAYS AGO8:54 PM EST

2 Chinese nationals were among the victims

The Chinese embassy in the U.S. said two Chinese nationals were among the victims of the crash and would provide consular protection and assistance. It also has asked the U.S. side to verify the information, officially inform the Chinese side and provide assistance to the families of the victims.

“The Chinese Embassy extends deepest condolences to all the victims and sympathies to the bereaved families,” an embassy statement said. It did not offer further details on the victims.

23 DAYS AGO8:07 PM EST

Is there an air traffic controller shortage? Deadly midair collision raises concerns

Is there an air traffic controller shortage? Deadly midair collision raises concerns

An American Eagle passenger plane collided with a military helicopter while on approach to Reagan National Airport.

Air traffic controller staffing concerns have intensified in the aftermath of the deadliest American aviation disaster in more than two decades.

Sixty-seven people are believed to have died when a commercial airliner and U.S. Army helicopter collided in midair just outside of Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening. American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas was approaching the runway at Reagan National Airport when the crash occurred, sending both aircraft into the Potomac River below.

Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight.

“PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” the controller asked in reference to the passenger aircraft.

Read Full Article

23 DAYS AGO7:37 PM EST

Dive operations suspended for the day, will resume tomorrow, DC Fire says

The DC Fire and EMS Department said divers searched all areas that are accessible on Thursday but the investigation and recovery efforts will resume tomorrow.

"Tomorrow, divers will work with NTSB to conduct additional searches to locate aircraft components, to support the investigation, and begin operations to salvage the aircraft," D.C. Fire said in a statement posted on X.

The department added that boats will remain on the scene overnight for security and surface searches.

Recovery operation pauses overnight
The recovery operation at the Potomac plane crash site has paused for the night and will resume in the morning. News4's Mark Segraves reports.
23 DAYS AGO7:22 PM EST

‘Heartbreaking': Two figure skating clubs issue statement on plane crash

The Washington Figure Skating Club and the Skating Club of Northern Virginia issued a statement on the Potomac plane crash.

“This heartbreaking accident has shaken the local skating community in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. — as well as in Boston and across the nation,” the Instagram statement reads.

The statement says the organizations are “deeply committed” to supporting their skaters, their families and the wider figure-skating community.

23 DAYS AGO6:50 PM EST

2 black boxes from crashed jet have been recovered

Two black boxes from the regional jet that crashed in the Potomac River have been recovered, NBC News reported, citing a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Earlier today, the NTSB said they had yet not found any flight data recorders, but added they were "comfortable and confident" that they would be recovered.

"We will probably have more than one black box, so to speak. It's our understanding that the Sikorsky helicopter is equipped with some form of recording device, and those will be read either by the DOD or by us. We have a good starting relationship with them, and we've already made agreements in order to be able to do that. So I feel comfortable in what we're going to be doing," J. Todd Inman, an NTSB board member said.

23 DAYS AGO6:50 PM EST

What caused the deadly midair collision?

Andrew Harnik / Getty ImagesEmergency response units search the crash site Thursday of an American Eagle plane on the Potomac River.

Emergency response units search the crash site Thursday of an American Eagle plane on the Potomac River.

The skies on Wednesday night were clear. The pilots were in communication with air traffic control, and officials said American Eagle Flight 5342 was on a standard descent to the runway in the busy airspace above the nation’s capital. Yet somehow, the passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided midair, bursting into flames and plunging into the Potomac River in the first major fatal commercial plane crash in the United States in 16 years. 

Federal investigators are now searching for answers in what is expected to be a lengthy process. A number of factors, both technological and human-driven, could have played a role in the deadly accident, aviation experts say, including whether multilayered systems designed to stop collisions functioned properly. 

“Everything, unfortunately, lined up for this accident to happen,” said Kenneth Byrnes, a pilot and chairman of the flight training department at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. 

Read the full story here.

23 DAYS AGO6:39 PM EST

How could an ‘elevation issue' have contributed to the crash?

In a White House press conference on Thursday, the Secretary of Defense discussed an “elevation issue” that may have contributed to the Potomac crash. But what does that mean?

The NTSB is the only agency authorized to release information about the cause of this tragic crash. But NBC Washington's Ted Oberg broke down what the elevation issue might have been, and broke down how both aircraft descended.

23 DAYS AGO6:09 PM EST

Work continues to recover bodies following midair collision

Law enforcement sources tell NBC Washington's Mark Segraves that authorities have been able to recover the bodies of about 40 victims from the Potomac River.

Earlier on Thursday, DC fire and EMS chief John A Donnelly said they were confident that they will ultimately be able to recover "all of the bodies" from the crash.

“I’m confident that we will do that. It will take us a little bit of time. It may involve some more equipment," Donnelly said in a press conference.

Authorities are still working to identify all victims.

23 DAYS AGO5:13 PM EST

Photos: See the aftermath of plane, helicopter crash in the Potomac River

Hundreds of first responders participated in a recovery mission on the Potomac River, where the remnants of the two aircraft remain. No survivors are expected.

Photos: See the aftermath of plane, helicopter crash in the Potomac River

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Al Drago/Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol is seen in the background as emergency response units work at the crash site of the American Airlines plane on Jan. 30, 2025.

23 DAYS AGO5:10 PM EST

Crash affected Charles County Public Schools community, superintendent says

Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria V. Navarro said the district learned some victims of the Potomac crash were family members, friends and mentors to “a number of our students and staff.”

“We extend our deepest sympathies to all who are impacted by this tragedy and are grieving for their loved ones,” Navarro said in an email Thursday.

The email says the district has staff trained in crises and tragedy responses who can provide counseling, guidance and other helpful resources. School staff remain available to support anyone in need of help processing the news, their grief or any emotions from learning about this tragedy. The email encourages community members to reach out to the principal, counselor or psychologist at their child’s school, and the district has implemented additional resources at schools where they are aware of direct impacts to students and staff.

“We will continue to provide support and resources as the news of this tragedy continues to unfold,” Navarro said in the email.

CCPS employees can seek support through the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-877-465-0865 or visiting www.guidanceresources.com. The user ID is CCPSEAP.

23 DAYS AGO5:08 PM EST

Washington Commanders issue statement on plane crash

The Washington Commanders issued a statement after an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.

"We join all of the DMV in grieving the tremendous loss of life in last night's horrific accident over the Potomac River," the NFL team wrote in a post on X. "Our hearts break for the families of the passengers and crew of American Airlines flight 5342".

The Commanders also thanked first responders who responded to the site to support search and rescue efforts.

23 DAYS AGO4:43 PM EST

‘My inspiration': Ashburn skater, 10, lost friends and coach

A young girl who skates at the Ashburn Ice House said she lost four of her friends and her coach in the plane crash.

"I look after those people and they were my inspiration," 10-year-old Alexis Winch told News4 outside the facility Thursday afternoon.

While standing alongside her father, the skater said Inna Volyanskaya had been her coach at the ice house for more than a year.

News4 is not yet naming the skaters she and her father said were killed. They haven't officially been named by officials or family members.

‘My inspiration': 10-year-old skater lost friends, coach in crash
A 10-year-old girl who belongs to the Ashburn Ice House skate club lost four of her friends and coach in the Potomac River plane crash. News4's Drew Wilder reports.
23 DAYS AGO4:38 PM EST

‘Mikey loves everybody': Mother mourns son on plane that crashed

Christina Stovall’s son, Charles County resident Mikey Stovall, was aboard the flight with seven of his friends. They were coming back from an annual duck hunting trip in Kansas. He leaves behind wife and an 11-year-old son.

‘Mikey loves everybody': Mother mourns son on plane that crashed
Christina Stovall’s son, Charles County resident Mikey Stovall, was aboard the flight with seven of his friends. They were coming back from an annual duck hunting trip in Kansas. He leaves behind a wife and an 11-year-old son.
23 DAYS AGO4:36 PM EST

Car, cyclist and pedestrian traffic near airport continues after Potomac River crash tragedy

As people in the D.C. area and far beyond grapple with the Potomac River crash tragedy, traffic near Reagan National Airport was largely normal on Thursday.

Drivers made their way along George Washington Memorial Parkway, and pedestrians and cyclists used Mount Vernon Trail, which runs alongside the river. Here’s a look.

A bicyclist rides past Reagan National Airport after an American Airlines plane crashed on the Potomac River as it approached the airport on Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. (Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
23 DAYS AGO4:34 PM EST

The Army has seen an increase in major aviation accidents in recent years

During the fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Army reported 15 flight and two ground incidents that were classified as Class A, the most severe aviation accident classification, according to safety data obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act.

According to the Army, Class A incidents are any aviation accident that results in the destruction of the aircraft, deaths of service members or more than $2.5 million in damage to the airframe.

In a briefing with Pentagon reporters Thursday, Army aviation Chief of Staff Jonathan Koziol said the spike in incidents last year had prompted the Army to do a safety stand-down, in which units pause flight operations to evaluate safety procedures “to not allow these types of incidents to happen,” Koziol said.

23 DAYS AGO4:23 PM EST

Champion Russian skaters killed in DC plane crash built new life coaching in US

The two Russian figure skating coaches killed in the American Airlines crash were two-time Olympians and former world champions in the pairs event.

They were also a married couple with a son who finished fourth last week at the U.S. national championships in Wichita, Kansas. Their son was not on the same flight.

Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov won a world championship title together in pairs skating in 1994 and narrowly missed out on Olympic medals that year at the Lillehammer Games before moving to the U.S. and coaching generations of young skaters in New England.

NBC10 Boston
Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov during an interview with NBC10 Boston.

After their son Maxim Naumov skated at the national championships, the 52-year-old Shishkova and her 55-year-old husband stayed in Wichita for a development camp for some of the most promising young skaters in the country.

23 DAYS AGO4:15 PM EST

3 Fairfax County public school students, 6 parents killed in Potomac River crash

Three Fairfax County Public Schools students and six FCPS parents are among those lost in the plane crash tragedy, the school district just told families.

Two of those six parents were current or former FCPS staff members. The district did not name which schools the students went to and did not give their ages.

“We are devastated by the tragic news as we learn members of our FCPS community have lost their lives in the accident last night at Reagan National Airport,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said by email.

23 DAYS AGO3:51 PM EST

Black boxes not found yet, NTSB says

The NTSB says it hasn't found flight data recorders, also known as black boxes, from either the passenger airplane or the military helicopter involved in the crash.

J. Todd Inman, a board member, said the agency is "comfortable and confident" it will recover the data recorders.

"We will probably have more than one black box, so to speak. It's our understanding that the Sikorsky helicopter is equipped with some form of recording device, and those will be read either by the DOD or by us. We have a good starting relationship with them, and we've already made agreements in order to be able to do that. So I feel comfortable in what we're going to be doing," Inman said.

23 DAYS AGO3:32 PM EST

DCA tower staffing was ‘not normal' during crash, preliminary FAA report finds

A preliminary FAA internal report on the collision found staffing at the air traffic control tower at Reagan Washington National Airport was "not normal" for the amount of air traffic and for the time of day, a source with knowledge of the situation told NBC News.

The tower typically has a controller who focuses specifically on helicopter traffic. But at the time of the crash last night, the source said, one controller was overseeing both airplane and helicopter activity.

FAA guidelines do allow for this position to be combined, permitting one controller to control both airplanes and helicopters.

23 DAYS AGO2:32 PM EST

Divers finding devastating scene as they search inside sunken plane for victims

WARNING: The following content may be too graphic or upsetting for some people.

Divers searching underwater for the bodies of people killed in last night's plane and helicopter crash are finding horrific scenes.

Searching through destroyed parts of the plane, first responders have found victims still strapped in their seat belts. Body parts also have been found in the Potomac River.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she's keeping in mind the mental health support that first responders will need.

23 DAYS AGO1:33 PM EST

4 DC-area members of plumbers and pipefitters union among crash victims, union says

Four members of a local union for plumbers and pipefitters are among the victims of the plane crash into the Potomac River, the union said.

The four people believed to have died were members of the UA Steamfitters Local 602, the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry just said in a statement.

“As more information continues to come in, we are heartbroken to confirm that four members of UA Steamfitters Local 602 were among the victims of the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash yesterday," they said. "[...] Our focus now is on providing support and care to the families of our Brothers as we continue to gather more information in the coming days."

Local 602 represents people who work in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and process piping in the D.C. area, their website says. Addresses in Capitol Heights and Landover are listed. Go here for our developing story on what we know so far about all victims.

4 DC-area members of plumbers and pipefitters union among crash victims, union says
Four members of a local union for plumbers and pipefitters are among the victims of the plane crash into the Potomac River, the union said.
23 DAYS AGO12:07 AM EST

Aproximate area of plane crash

 The area circled in red shows the approximate area where American Eagle flight 5342 crashed in the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.

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