Crews have recovered the remains of all 67 individuals who died in a mid-air collision between a commercial airliner and a U.S. Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. on Jan. 29.
The crash involved a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, resulting in the complete loss of life.
The recovery operation, which faced challenging conditions, concluded with the retrieval of all victims’ remains.
Crews worked around the clock in the Potomac River, where strong winds and shifting tides complicated the operation. Despite these difficulties, officials confirmed the recovery of all remains on Tuesday.
The collision occurred shortly after the commercial airliner took off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, located a few miles from the crash site. Initial investigations suggest the incident occurred during routine flight operations.
The Black Hawk helicopter, involved in a scheduled training mission, was in the same airspace. Authorities are investigating the cause of the mid-air collision, with both civilian and military experts involved.
The Potomac River area, due to its proximity to a busy airport and military sites, has seen previous aviation incidents, leading to discussions about air traffic control and coordination.
Investigations are ongoing to determine how the collision occurred and whether any safety concerns need to be addressed.
At the time of the crash, PSA Airlines Flight 5342 was following its approved flight path with 60 passengers and crew members on board.
The Army helicopter was carrying seven personnel conducting a training mission. Both aircraft were operating within their approved flight paths at the time of the collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and military experts are leading the investigation. The inquiry will examine several factors, including mechanical failures, weather conditions, and potential human errors. The results of this investigation will inform future aviation safety measures.