Black hawk collides with passenger airplane in DC over Potomac, no survivors reported

CV NEWS FEED // Officials do not believe there are any survivors of a collision that occurred just outside of the Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Jan. 29 between an American Airlines flight with 64 people aboard and a military helicopter with three soldiers aboard.

Pope Francis has expressed deepest condolences to those mourning the loss of loved ones who were on the flight. 

“I express my spiritual closeness to all those affected by this tragedy. In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of almighty God, I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who are now mourning the loss of a loved one,” Pope Francis said in a Jan. 30 message to President Donald Trump. “I likewise pray for those involved in the recovery efforts, and invoke upon all in the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength.” 

The crash occurred at approximately 8:48 p.m. EST between a Black Hawk military helicopter on a training flight and a regional jet flying from Wichita, Kansas, according to a Jan. 30 report from Fox News. 

Bishop Carl Kemme of Wichita said he is praying for the victims and families involved in the crash. 

“It is sobering to think that I and two other priests were on this very flight one week ago on our way to DC for the March for Life,” he said in a Facebook statement. “May God bring divine assistance to everyone involved.”

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, will celebrate Mass on Jan. 30 for the victims of the crash, according to an email from the diocese communications office. 

Two young U.S. figure skaters, two of their family members, and two coaches were aboard the flight, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that they were returning from the National Development Camp in Kansas, according to Fox News. The coaches were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a married couple and world champion figure skaters from Russia. 

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” U.S. Figure Skating stated. 

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the American Airlines flight was preparing to land at the airport when the crash occurred, according to Fox News. The wreckage from both aircrafts was located in the Potomac River. First responders attempted search-and-rescue operations in the frigid water, according to Washington, D.C., Mayor Murial Bowser. 

NBC Washington 4 reported in the early morning of Jan. 30 that D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelley said, “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

At the time of publication, more than 24 bodies had been recovered from the river, according to Fox News. 

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that the Army unit involved was a part of a battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and that the flight was “an annual proficiency training flight,” according to Fox News. Hegseth will not publicly identify the three soldiers who were on the Black Hawk until family members are informed.

“We do know on our side who was involved. It was a fairly experienced crew, and that was doing a required annual night evaluation. They did have night vision goggles,” Hegseth also said.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said that the reason the military helicopter was in the direct path of the passenger flight is unknown, according to NBC Washington 4. 

Trump posted to his Truth Social account on Jan. 29 that it was a clear night and “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport… This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”

Duffy also stated in a briefing that the tragedy was “absolutely” preventable, according to the New York Times. 

The morning of Jan. 30 Trump posted that he had been fully briefed on the tragic accident. 

“May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,” he stated. “I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

The airport expects to resume flights at 11 a.m. EST Jan. 30. 

In a Jan. 30 article, Aleteia’s English edition Executive Editor Kathleen Hattrup has encouraged praying amid the tragedy, writing: “The consoling petitions of the Divine Mercy Chaplet seem a most appropriate prayer in the moment.”

This is a developing story.