On January 29, 2025, a devastating midair collision occurred near Washington, D.C., when American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash, the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009, resulted in the tragic deaths of 28 people—27 from the plane and one from the helicopter. The passenger plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, while the helicopter was conducting a routine training exercise.

Rescue teams, facing freezing temperatures and difficult conditions in the Potomac River, are battling strong winds, ice, and deep waters to recover any potential survivors. So far, no survivors have been found, and efforts are ongoing. The wreckage was captured in disturbing CCTV footage, showing a fiery descent before both aircraft plunged into the river. Eyewitnesses described hearing two loud bangs and seeing sparks as the plane fell from the sky.

As families anxiously await news, the tragedy has affected not just the victims’ loved ones, but also the U.S. figure skating community, as several skaters and coaches were on board. In response, a vigil is planned in Wichita, Kansas, where the flight originated.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the collision, while the FAA reviews air traffic communications. The crash has prompted a national outpouring of grief, with President Donald Trump expressing concern over the circumstances, questioning why the helicopter pilot did not take evasive action. The crash marks a devastating chapter in the nation’s history, and its impact will be felt for years to come.