UPDATE: 7 a.m., Jan. 31, 2025
WASHINGTON (WFIR/WFIR News) —Authorities now confirm that all 67 people aboard the American Airlines jet and U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter were killed, making this the deadliest U.S. air disaster in nearly 25 years.
New details from investigators:
- All 60 passengers, four crew members, and three soldiers died in the crash.
- At least 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy Potomac River, where debris scattered after the collision.
- The Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a night training flight before flying into the path of the jet.
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says state resources remain deployed for ongoing recovery operations.
Victims identified
Officials have identified several victims, including:
✈ American Airlines crew members:
- Captain Sam Lilley (pilot)
- First Officer Jonathan Campos (pilot)
- Danasia Elder (flight attendant)
Passengers:
- Teen figure skaters and Russian coaches returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships
- A group of hunters returning home from Kansas
- An Ohio college student heading back to campus after attending her grandfather’s funeral
Army Black Hawk crew:
- Ryan O’Hara (soldier)
- Andrew Eaves (soldier)
- One additional soldier, not yet identified
ORIGINAL STORY: 9 a.m., Jan. 30, 2025
WASHINGTON (WFIR/WFIR News) — The mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has now turned into a recovery operation, officials say.
What we know so far
WFIR’s Clark Palmer reports on recovery efforts and Sen. Tim Kaine’s reaction
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he has been briefed on the crash and confirmed that extensive state resources are fully supporting search and rescue efforts.
Griffith calls crash an ‘unfathomable tragedy’
Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., issued a statement Thursday, calling the crash an “unfathomable tragedy.”
“I join the country in mourning the loss of life as a result of this national tragedy. My prayers are with the families and loved ones of those impacted.
I commend Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for quickly launching an investigation into what happened, and I thank all the first responders, including those in Virginia, who rushed to the scene and battled wintry conditions during their rescue efforts.”
Trump suggests DEI policies played a role in crash
At a Thursday morning news conference, President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the crash, with Trump suggesting that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within the FAA and military aviation programs may have contributed to the accident.
“We need the best and the brightest. We need brilliant people in these critical positions,” Trump said, criticizing past DEI initiatives.
The White House indicated that military DEI initiatives—policies that Trump has since rescinded—may have impacted the qualifications of the helicopter pilots involved in the crash.
While Trump’s remarks suggest a link between DEI hiring policies and aviation safety, federal investigators have not released any findings confirming this as a factor in the crash.
Warner responds, praises first responders
At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday morning, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., spoke about the tragedy before delivering his opening remarks for director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard.
This is a developing story. WFIR will provide updates as more information becomes available.
