67 Presumed Dead After Midair Collision Near Washington, D.C.

A midair collision near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on the evening of Wednesday, January 29 has claimed the lives of 67 people. The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time when an American Airlines regional jet, arriving from Kansas, collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter operated by the U.S. Army.

Initial reports suggest that the air traffic control staffing during the time of the incident was below normal levels, according to The New York Times. Preliminary findings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicate that the air traffic controller managing helicopter traffic was also overseeing planes departing and landing at the airport when the crash occurred. The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Clear weather conditions prevailed at the time, and officials have confirmed that the American Airlines jet was in the process of making a routine landing when the Black Hawk helicopter entered its flight path. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has announced that it will launch a full investigation into the incident, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.

This tragic event marks the first major air disaster in the United States since 2009. However, the U.S. Army has reported an increase in serious aviation incidents in recent years. According to the Associated Press, the Army recorded 15 in-flight and 2 ground incidents classified as “very serious” during the 2024 fiscal year alone.

As authorities continue to investigate, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic accident.