DC Plane Crash: American Airlines Black Boxes Now in NTSB’s Hands!
An American Airlines regional jet crashed into the Potomac River near D.C.’s Reagan National Airport after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night. All 64 passengers and three soldiers on board are presumed lost.
The crash occurred around 9 p.m. as the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 approached the airport. The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a multi-agency recovery operation, sharing photos from the scene.
The NTSB has recovered the plane’s black boxes, now under analysis, while DCA’s Runway 33 remains closed until Feb. 7.
The black boxes from American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., have been recovered and are en route to the National Transportation Safety Board lab for analysis.
The crash resulted in the loss of all 64 individuals on the plane and three soldiers aboard the helicopter. Among the victims were Spencer Lane, 16, and his mother, Christine Lane, 49, who were returning from a figure skating camp in Wichita, Kansas. Spencer was an aspiring figure skater inspired by Olympian Nathan Chen, and Christine was remembered as a devoted mother and creative individual.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities analyzing the flight data and cockpit voice recordings to determine the cause of the collision.
Potomac Crash Updates: Helicopter Wreckage, Dive Teams Wrap Up Operations
🚁 Sec. Noem Shares Crash Photos
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tweeted images of the downed Black Hawk helicopter in the Potomac River, thanking the Coast Guard and first responders for their efforts.
🛑 Air Traffic Changes Before Collision
A source revealed that Reagan Airport combined two controller positions into one earlier than usual Wednesday night due to lower traffic. The FAA and the air traffic controllers’ union maintain that staffing levels were not an issue.
⚠️ Dive Teams End Recovery Mission
Rescue crews have recovered about 40 bodies, including at least one soldier from the Army helicopter. Additional remains are expected to be retrieved when the fuselage is lifted, but officials warn some victims may never be recovered due to the fireball from the crash.