Midair Collision Near D.C. Kills 67, Sparks Aviation Safety Concerns

ARLINGTON, Va. — A midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night has left 67 people presumed dead, raising urgent questions about aviation safety and air traffic control staffing.

The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. local time when the American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers on board. Both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River, scattering debris across the water and nearby areas.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member J. Todd Inman confirmed Friday that the black boxes from both aircraft have been recovered. The flight data recorder from the passenger jet was found in “good condition,” while the voice recorder showed signs of water damage but is expected to yield retrievable data. “We have a high level of confidence in the data,” Inman said during a press conference.

Preliminary reports suggest the Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying at an altitude higher than its approved flight path. President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, stated the helicopter “was flying too high, by a lot.” However, NTSB officials cautioned against speculation, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing.

The tragedy has highlighted longstanding concerns about air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport. A New York Times report revealed that the airport’s control tower was nearly a third below its targeted staffing levels, with only 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023. A lawsuit filed by Mountain States Legal Foundation alleges that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discriminated against air traffic controller applicants based on race, exacerbating the staffing crisis.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced Friday that helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport will be restricted indefinitely. “Today’s decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic,” Duffy said in a statement.

Recovery efforts have been complicated by adverse weather conditions, including rain and gusty winds. As of Friday, 41 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River, with 28 victims identified. Among the deceased are two young figure skaters, Everly and Alydia Livingston, known as the “ice skating sisters,” and their parents. Cedarville University student Grace Maxwell, who was returning to school after her grandfather’s funeral, was also among the victims.

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing an immediate assessment of FAA hiring practices and safety protocols. “The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system,” Trump said. “We will achieve uncompromised aviation safety.”

The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days, though a final determination of the crash’s cause could take more than a year. Inman urged the public to avoid speculation, stating, “Our job is to get the absolute facts.”

As families mourn their loved ones, the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to address systemic issues that may have contributed to one of the deadliest U.S. aviation accidents in decades.