Plane crashes into Potomac River after midair collision with Black Hawk helicopter
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67 Killed in US' Deadliest Air Crash Since 2001
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Above: A view of the scene after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport outside Washington, DC, on Jan. 29, 2025. Image copyright: Celal Gunes/Anadolu/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
At least 28 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the Potomac River after an American Airlines flight collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, at approximately 9:00 pm local time on Wednesday.
American Airlines has confirmed that the plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while three military servicemembers were aboard the helicopter. Pres. Donald Trump announced on Thursday that there are no survivors, making this the deadliest US air crash since 2001.
The commercial flight, originating from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Runway 33 when it collided with the military helicopter from Fort Belvoir's Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, which was conducting a training flight at the time of the incident.
The Spin
Narrative A
The collision occurred during routine operations at one of the nation's busiest airports, raising serious questions about airspace coordination and safety protocols. While details are limited, the fact that both commercial and military aircraft were operating in such close proximity is a failure of air traffic management that must be addressed immediately.
Narrative B
This collision was a tragic but rare accident, and it's unfair to place blame on air traffic control systems or military protocols without further investigation. The incident highlights the complex nature of shared airspace management in the Washington, DC, area, where military and civilian aircraft frequently operate in close proximity.
