Hopes for DCA crash survivors were dashed this morning
The latest on the unspeakable collision from local and federal officials as the nation grapples with its worst major commercial aircraft crash in almost 16 years.

America’s worst fears were confirmed this morning: None of the 67 people involved in the devastating mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional jet and Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport survived the crash.
The plane—carrying 60 passengers and four crew members—was en route to the nation’s capital from Wichita, Kansas, while the helicopter, which had three soldiers on board, was conducting a training flight.
John Donnelly, the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Chief, told reporters that around 300 people responded to the crash, braving frigid conditions, heavy winds, ice and water to rescue victims.
“Despite all those efforts, we are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Donnelly said.
Donnelly added that 27 people were recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. The DC medical examiner is responsible for reuniting these bodies with their loved ones, with the support of the Virginia and Army medical examiners. The operation will continue to recover all the bodies and return them to their families.
Sean Duffy, confirmed as Secretary of Transportation on Tuesday, said the two aircraft were located. The plane’s main body was inverted and located in three sections in waist-deep water. The National Transportation Safety Board, the lead agency investigating the crash, will start to analyze the aircraft.
Duffy said there were no harbingers of the impending disaster. It was a clear night, and the plane and helicopter were on standard flight patterns.
“This was not unusual with a military aircraft flying [near] the river and aircraft landing at DCA,” Duffy said, referring to the airport by its commonly used three-letter code.
However, the new transportation chief added that passenger safety is the expectation of his department and reaffirmed his belief that the US still has the safest airspace in the world.
“We will not rest until we have answers for the families and the flying public,” he said. “You should be assured that when you fly, you’re safe.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the company activated a team of specialists who are on-site or soon to arrive and trained to support these types of responses. He also said a separate team had been deployed to help the families and loved ones of the passengers.
Kansas members of Congress, including Sens. Jerry Moran (R) and Roger Marshall (R), contacted local and national authorities after the incident.
“There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” Marshall said last night. “I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.”
Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.), whose district includes Wichita, notified constituents that his office phone lines were staffed if they needed to speak with someone.
DCA is located in Virginia, so the state’s congressional delegation is also closely impacted by the crash.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he was on his way home from dinner in Old Town Alexandria when he saw many red lights heading toward DCA. Before his phone started showing details of the tragedy, he wondered why.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) summarized the aftermath in three words: Sorrow, thanks and questions.
“We offer our profound condolences to them and our sorrow for this tragedy,” he said. “When you see a challenge like this and you see so many different agencies—local, state, federal—with different uniforms, different badges but working in such a coordinated way, even in the midst of tragedy, it does give you a sense of appreciation and pride in people’s willingness to come to the danger and work together.”
The three-term senator encouraged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions about the crash’s circumstances.
“It’s not a time to speculate,” he said. It’s a time to investigate and get answers to the questions we need and I have confidence that will be done.”
Don Beyer, whose district includes DCA, expressed gratitude to those who have put politics aside to focus on recovery.
“In the most partisan place, I’m really thankful that Democrats and Republicans, people from all over, have come together to try to make sure that people are served.”
Then there’s President Donald Trump, who initially described the incident as a tragedy, expressed gratitude to first responders and offered prayers to the victims.
But on his Truth Social app, Trump suggested the collision was avoidable.
“The crash was a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” (Duffy told reporters he backed up the president’s comments: “Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.”)
To be sure, politics will soon intensify this tragedy and members will resume an active debate about aviation safety that predated the DCA crash.
The related Senate Commerce subcommittee held a hearing last month to examine the state of US air traffic control safety. Senators heard from aviation personnel who described how outdated equipment and systems made ensuring safety and efficiency challenging.
The FAA reauthorization bill Congress passed last May included several measures to enhance aviation safety, including expanding the workforce of air traffic controllers and safety inspectors and mandating the implementation of systems designed to help organizations identify and manage potential hazards. However, President Trump last week disbanded an aviation security advisory committee established after a 1988 plane bombing, a move that will likely face heightened scrutiny in the wake of the crash.
DCA will reopen at 11 a.m. this morning.