
A devastating mid-air collision between an American Eagle Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River has resulted in the loss of all 64 lives on board. The tragic incident occurred just minutes away from landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
The ill-fated plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, including a dozen people returning from a figure skating competition in Wichita, Kansas. The Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the victims.
The Pentagon has confirmed that three US Army personnel were on board the Black Hawk helicopter, but has not released their identities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the crew as “fairly experienced.”
The airline has not released the names of its crew members, but the stepmother of First Officer Sam Lilley confirmed that he was on the plane. Ian Epstein, a flight attendant, was also on board, according to his sister.
Search efforts were quickly suspended after the crash, with Washington, D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly declaring that he did not believe there would be any survivors. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with President Trump expressing his condolences to the families of the victims.
Key Facts :
* 64 people killed in mid-air collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter
* 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board the plane, including 12 figure skaters returning from a competition in Wichita, Kansas
* 3 US Army personnel on board the helicopter
* Search efforts suspended with no survivors expected
* President Trump expresses condolences to the families of the victims