Unraveling the Details Behind the Helicopter and Plane Collision

Journalist Ava Ling provides more information about the recent plane crash

The devastating crash that occurred on January 29, 2025, between a regional jet operated by American Airlines and a Black Hawk helicopter belonging to the U.S. Army is still under investigation, extending into February. This collision is one of the most tragic aviation accidents in recent years. The crash took place near Washington, D.C., and the aircraft was en route from Wichita, Kansas, with 64 people on board, including three soldiers. Among the passengers were members of U.S. Figure Skating, who were returning from a developmental camp. Unfortunately, there were no survivors, but the bodies of the victims have been recovered from the Potomac River, where the aircraft crashed. As of the latest reports, all casualties have been identified and recovered, and no one is reported missing at this time. The victims’ families have met with Washing- ton’s fire chief, American Airlines, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other officials at a family center. Looking further into this crash, investigators believe both the military pilots controlling the Black Hawk and the pilots of the American Airlines flight were skilled and experienced enough to navigate complex airspace. Therefore, the cause of the collision remains unclear. First responders are working to recover the cockpit voice recorders from the aircraft, hoping that this will help investigators better understand the crash. The cockpit voice recorders capture both cockpit conversations and data points from the avionics, which the NTSB considers critical for their investigation. The Black Hawk was reportedly conducting a routine military training mission, which included night evaluation, and pilots were equipped with night vision goggles. Based on the available information, the crash is believed to have been avoidable, but it is still under thorough investigation. The cause of the crash has been speculated to be related to the helicopter’s actions, but no official conclusion has been made yet. The American Airlines CEO and some other officials have suggested that the unexpected intersection of flight paths may have been a contributing factor.