A tragic midair collision occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when an American Airlines regional jet crashed into a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The incident took place around 9 PM ET as the jet, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land. The collision led to the aircraft plunging into the Potomac River, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Rescue teams, including the DC fire department, police, and the US Coast Guard, launched extensive search operations. So far, eighteen bodies have been recovered, with no survivors found. The jet carried 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three US Army soldiers onboard.
Authorities confirmed that the Black Hawk helicopter had departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on a routine training mission. Flight data revealed a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River just before impact. In response, Reagan Airport suspended all take-offs and landings.
Among the passengers on the ill-fated flight were at least 14 figure skaters, excluding coaches. World champions in pair figure skating, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who represented the Russian national team, were also on board. Their presence has deeply affected the global figure skating community, as tributes pour in from fellow athletes and fans.
Government agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Transportation, are actively monitoring the situation, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision. The airline has pledged full cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board as officials work to understand the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Search efforts continue under challenging conditions as authorities strive to locate any remaining individuals.
