Washington DC Plane Crash: Black Box From Aircraft Found As 28 Bodies Pulled Out From River

A passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC on Wednesday, sending both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.

Tragically, there were no survivors, as confirmed by US President Donald Trump during a White House press briefing.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

The passenger plane was carrying 64 people, while the Black Hawk helicopter had three on board. All 67 individuals lost their lives in the crash, marking the first major aviation disaster in the United States since 2009.

Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly described the recovery operation as large-scale and "highly complex," with boats remaining on the river to search for victims and debris.

Fresh Updates on the Washington Plane Crash:

- Authorities have retrieved one of the "black box" recorders from Flight AA5342 from the Potomac River. This device, which contains flight data and cockpit voice recordings, is expected to provide crucial evidence in understanding the cause of the crash.

- So far, 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters, including all three soldiers on the helicopter. Recovery efforts are ongoing.

- A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report obtained by The Associated Press revealed that a single air traffic controller was managing both helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes at the time of the collision. The report described the staffing situation as "not normal," though a source familiar with the matter claimed staffing levels at the control tower were standard that evening.

During a press conference, President Trump suggested the crash might have been preventable. He also made unsubstantiated claims, blaming policies from the Obama and Biden administrations for the incident.

"They issued a directive: 'too white.' We want competent people," Trump said, referencing past hiring practices at the FAA.

Among the passengers on the plane were members of the Skating Club of Boston, returning from a development camp following the 2025 US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. Additionally, three students from Fairfax County, Virginia, and six parents from the area were on board.

Chilling audio from air traffic controllers captured them repeatedly asking the helicopter if it had the passenger jet "in sight." Moments before the crash, the controller instructed the helicopter to "pass behind" the plane.

The investigation into the tragedy continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the collision.