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American Airlines Crash: U.S. Figure Skaters Among Passengers in Fatal Collision
Search efforts are underway after a horrific mid-air collision occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.
American Eagle Flight 5342—a plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members aboard en route from Wichita, Kansas—crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with an army helicopter Jan. 29, NBC Washington reported.
At publishing time, 28 bodies have been recovered during search operations thus far, according to the outlet, citing two sources familiar with the search efforts.
The D.C. Fire Chief has since stated that everyone aboard the jet is feared dead, noting that the search efforts have shifted from a rescue to recovery operation.
Among those aboard the aircraft included American figure skaters, coaches and family members who had been at camp in Wichita, according to a statement released by U.S. Figure Skating.
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the organization shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
In addition, Russian state media reported that Russian figure skaters and coaches including World champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board the fatal flight.
“Bad news from Washington today,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in his daily news conference, per NBC News. “We grieve and console with the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash.”
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The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was carrying three people, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
“As we continue to pray for all involved, we are grateful for the efforts of our first responders during this tragic event,” Bowser wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding in another tweet, “Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy.”
Following the crash, President Donald Trump spoke out on Truth Social.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented,” he wrote Jan. 29, “NOT GOOD!!!”
Ron McLendon II, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/US Army Military District of Washington, also shared more insight into the incident, as well as an update on the ongoing investigation.
“While performing a training mission a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,” he said in a statement obtained by NBC News Jan. 30. “The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available.”
Check back as this is a breaking news story and will be updated…
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For more information on the tragic American Airlines collision, keep reading.
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What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines’ subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission has become a recovery operation, with 28 bodies being recovered from the river as of publishing time, District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly confirmed.
“At this point, we do not believe there were any survivors,” the official said at a Jan. 30 press conference. “We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones.”
As officials put the pieces together surrounding the horrific incident, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared that the helicopter was in a “standard flight pattern” during the collision and was aware of the plane in the vicinity.
“Last night, the helicopter was in a standard pattern,” he explained at the press conference. “If you live in the D.C. area, you’ll see helicopters up and down the river, this flight pattern is seen oftentimes when you live in D.C.”
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Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?
Among the 60 passengers were American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, Russian state media confirmed.
“Bad news from Washington today,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, per NBC News. “We grieve and console with the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash.”
One man, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now as we speak,” he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. “That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God.”
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Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
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What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are “going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB.”
As of this moment, officials are still searching for the black boxes—which record the information from the flight and its route—at the crash scene, an NTSB source told NBC News.
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Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River?
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” the White House statement said. “May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ilia Malinin, the men’s figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, “I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their “hearts are heavy as a city.”
“We mourn with all those who have been impacted,” she said. “This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever.”
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