Washington DC plane crash: No survivors found, 28 bodies recovered

U.S. officials have confirmed that there are no survivors from the midair collision between a passenger jet carrying 64 people and a military helicopter over Washington’s Potomac River.

Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly announced the transition from a rescue to a recovery operation, with 28 bodies recovered so far, including one from the helicopter. Emergency responders battled freezing conditions overnight, navigating ice-covered waters and strong winds.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, though air traffic recordings revealed repeated warnings to the helicopter before the collision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested the tragedy was “absolutely preventable.”

Among the victims were athletes, coaches, and officials, including Russian figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The Bombardier jet, operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, was approaching Reagan National Airport when it collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk on a training flight.

The Pentagon said the helicopter involved was a Sikorsky H-60 that took off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

Three US soldiers were on board, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said. Another official said it was on a training flight, and it belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

A clip published online by LiveATC.net, which streams air traffic, purports to capture the air traffic control conversation in the moments before the crash. A controller can reportedly be heard warning the helicopter about the plane, but receiving no reply. Eyewitnesses described a fireball and sparks trailing the aircraft before it plunged into the river. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded flights at Reagan National until further notice.

President Donald Trump criticized air traffic control, questioning why the helicopter was not directed to maneuver. The incident raises concerns over airspace congestion in Washington, a city with heavy aviation traffic, including commercial flights and government helicopters.