DC plane crash update: All 67 bodies recovered from river
The bodies of all 67 victims in the D.C. plane crash on January 29 have now been recovered, authorities have reported.
Newsweek has reached out to the press office for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The aircraft collided above the Potomac River in Washington D.C., leaving no survivors, and is the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States in a generation. The cause of the accident remains unexplained and officials are now turning their attention to clearing the remaining wreckage.
Thousands of commuter planes fly over the Potomac River each day and the incident has raised major safety concerns over why the collision happened, and how to ensure it never happens again.
Al Drago/Getty Images
What To Know
The Unified Command has announced that all the victims have now been recovered from the Potomac River.
Sixty-six of the remains have been positively identified. The Unified Command said that crews are working to clear the wreckage, including large pieces of the jet, from the river.
American Airlines Flight 5342 had 60 passengers and four crew members onboard. Among those killed were figure skaters and coaches. U.S. Figure Skating, the sport’s governing body in the U.S. confirmed via a statement that, “several members of our skating community,” were onboard the flight.
At least three Russian figures skaters were among the victims.
Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara and Captain Rebecca M. Lobach and Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves were onboard the Black Hawk helicopter.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a letter to airline employees on Tuesday that President Donald Trump had called him to offer his condolences.
Isom said in the letter that Trump called and “asked me to relay to all of you his personal appreciation for the work you are doing to support the families and his concern for the well-being of our entire team.”
He also said that Trump “made clear that aviation safety is a priority for his administration.”
Major questions about the cause of the collision remain, but answers may not be clear for weeks.
The passenger plane was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan International Airport when it collided with a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter that was on a training mission.
Grainy CCTV footage shows the plane in flight and then suddenly bursting into flames.
What People Are Saying
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said: “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.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on X, formerly Twitter: “What happened today [January 29] should never have happened. I want the families of the victims to know that they have my word: I will not rest until you have the truth. I will find answers to how this happened.”
What’s Next
American Airlines will observe a moment of silence on Wednesday, a week after the crash.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he had “immediately” opened an investigation into the crash with the Army and the Defense Department.
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