A deadly collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter has resulted in the worst air disaster in the United States in over two decades.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the two aircraft collided, sending both into the Potomac River just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
The crash claimed the lives of 67 people, including 60 passengers, four crew members, and three U.S. Army personnel.
The American Airlines flight, which was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, included several members of the U.S. figure skating team who had just competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Heartbreaking Footage Reveals the Horrific Moments Before the Crash
Surveillance cameras from two angles show the Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane approaching Reagan National Airport, its lights visible in the dark sky.
Suddenly, the Black Hawk helicopter appears, traveling at a much faster pace from the left.
The two aircraft do not seem to change course or attempt evasive action before a massive explosion lit up the sky.
Both aircraft plummeted into the water, with the plane’s largest piece flipping end over end before sinking.
Smaller fragments of wreckage rained down, scattering over the Potomac River.
The crash was also captured by dashcams from nearby highways, showing the explosion and the aftermath of the collision.
Much of the wreckage remains at the bottom of the river, with over a dozen bodies still trapped inside the wreckage.
Expert Describes Likely Horror of the Crash for Passengers
Aviation expert Jake Zwieg, who served in the navy, discussed what passengers and crew would have experienced during the crash.
“It was a pretty kinetic crash,” Zwieg said.
“We’ve all seen the big explosion, and obviously, the helicopter’s rotor blades went through the bottom of the aircraft.”
He explained that the crash likely occurred so quickly that the passengers had only a few seconds to experience terror before impact.
Zwieg, drawing on his own military experiences, added, “Helicopter is not your friend when it’s falling out of the sky.”
His chilling words reflect the sheer intensity and horror of the crash, which claimed the lives of all aboard.
Losses Include Families, Children, and Prominent Athletes
The crash has devastated entire families, including several prominent figures from the world of figure skating.
Among the passengers were young skaters Spencer Lane, 16, Brielle Beyer, 12, and Jinna Han, 13, as well as their mothers.
The famed Russian skating couple Evgenia Shishkova, 53, and Vadim Naumov, 56, were also killed in the collision.
In addition to the figure skaters, the crash also wiped out several other families, including those of two Fairfax County students and their parents.
The four airline crew members, including one who was about to get married and receive a promotion, also lost their lives in the crash.
Identification of the Helicopter Crew Members
The U.S. Army has identified the crew members aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, the pilot, was among the three soldiers on board.
Eaves, a beloved husband and father of two, was conducting a training operation at the time of the crash.
The crew chief was identified as Ryan O’Hara, a father of one.
The identity of the female co-pilot has not yet been released.
Eaves’ wife, Carrie, expressed her grief over the loss, saying, “We ask that you pray for our family and friends and for all the other families that are suffering today.
We ask for peace while we grieve.” She shared several photos of her husband and asked others to share any memories of him.
Rescue Operations and Recovery Efforts Continue in the Potomac River
The recovery of bodies continues in the aftermath of the crash, with rescue teams working to recover additional victims from the wreckage.
More than 40 bodies have been recovered so far, but officials fear that several victims remain trapped under the debris at the bottom of the Potomac River.
Recovery efforts are expected to continue for days, as investigators work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic collision.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn