A devastating mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., has claimed the lives of 67 people after a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet on January 29, 2025. This tragedy marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in more than two decades and has raised urgent concerns about military flight operations in civilian airspace.

Details of the Collision

The crash occurred over the Potomac River, approximately three miles south of the White House and U.S. Capitol. The regional jet, American Airlines Flight 5342, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, and was preparing to land when it collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission. The helicopter, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, had a crew of three soldiers on board.

According to flight data, air traffic controllers asked Flight 5342 to land on a shorter runway just minutes before the accident. The pilots agreed and adjusted their approach. Less than 30 seconds before impact, controllers asked the military helicopter pilot if they had the plane in sight, to which the pilot responded “Yes”. Moments later, another call from air traffic control to hold position went unanswered, and the two aircraft collided.

Victims Identified

Authorities have now confirmed the recovery of all 67 victims’ remains from the Potomac River. Among those who lost their lives were:

• Teenage figure skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, along with their mothers and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both former world champion pairs skaters returning from a training camp after the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
• A group of hunters returning from a guided trip in Kansas.
• Four members of a steamfitters’ local union from suburban Maryland.
• Nine students and parents from schools in Fairfax County, Virginia.
• Two Chinese nationals.
• Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, the pilot of Flight 5342.
• The three Army personnel aboard the Black Hawk:
  • Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, Durham, North Carolina
  • Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, Lilburn, Georgia
  • Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, Great Mills, Maryland

Tracking System Was Disabled

Investigators have revealed that the helicopter had turned off its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, which provides real-time aircraft location data. Although military aircraft are permitted to disable this system, Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, questioned why it was turned off during a training mission that did not involve national security concerns.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the Black Hawk was flying approximately 91 meters (300 feet), exceeding its flight ceiling by 30.5 meters (100 feet). The regional jet was recorded at 99 meters (325 feet), plus or minus 7.6 meters (25 feet) at the time of impact.

While the helicopter’s traditional transponder allowed detection by conventional radar, the lack of ADS-B tracking reduced precision, increasing the risk of mid-air collisions in high-traffic civilian airspace.

FAA and Lawmakers Call for Policy Review

In response, Senator Maria Cantwell, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, has called for a review of FAA protocols that allow military aircraft to fly without ADS-B tracking, a policy in place since 2018. The FAA has imposed temporary restrictions on helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan National Airport, with two runways closed until at least late February.

Under FAA regulations, civilian flights must be restricted whenever police, medical, or presidential helicopters enter controlled airspace, a measure designed to minimize collision risks.

Debate Over Non-Essential Military Flights

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also criticized the use of military helicopters for non-essential flights over densely populated regions.

“If we have generals flying helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that’s not acceptable,” Duffy stated. “Get a suburban and drive—you don’t need to take a helicopter.”

His comments reflect growing frustration over military airspace management, especially in congested flight zones where commercial and military operations overlap.

Investigation and Future Safety Measures

The NTSB and FAA are now examining flight data from both aircraft, with officials stating that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days.

Investigators are also analyzing whether the regional jet’s pilots attempted an evasive maneuver just one second before impact, as suggested by changes in the aircraft’s pitch angle recorded in its flight data.

Meanwhile, wreckage from both aircraft continues to be recovered from the Potomac River. Portions of the jetliner, including the cockpit, right wing, and tail, have already been retrieved. The Black Hawk’s remains are expected to be lifted later this week.

Aviation Safety Concerns in High-Traffic Airspace

This tragedy has brought renewed attention to flight safety regulations, particularly regarding military operations in shared civilian airspace. As more details emerge, pressure is mounting on policymakers, the FAA, and the Department of Defense to strengthen safety protocols, improve coordination, and ensure stricter compliance with altitude and tracking standards.

With public scrutiny increasing, the NTSB’s final report will be crucial in determining accountability and shaping future aviation safety measures—ensuring that an accident of this magnitude does not happen again.