A preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration found that staffing at the Ronald Reagan Airport air traffic control tower was “not normal” at the time of the deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet.
The internal report, released on Thursday and reviewed by The New York Times said the controller who was handling helicopters in the airport’s vicinity on Wednesday night was also instructing planes that were landing and departing from its runways.
These jobs are typically assigned to two different controllers.
It comes as the National Transportation Safety Board promised to “leave no stone unturned” in their investigation. Whether human or mechanical factors contributed to the crash that left 67 people dead is not yet clear, officials said. Black boxes have not yet been recovered.
At a press briefing hours earlier, President Donald Trump linked the Federal Aviation Administration’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies to the incident. “You have to be the highest intellect and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers,” he said.
All flights in and out of Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport were resumed at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Key Points
- No survivors are expected, D.C. Fire and EMS chief says
- Members of the Skating Club of Boston among passengers
- American Airlines jet crashes into Black Hawk helicopter on approach to DC airport
- Reagan National Airport to be closed until 11am on Thursday
In pictures: U.S. Park Police helicopters attend the scene in DC
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Mike Bedigan
Over 40 bodies recovered from Potomac river since crash
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Mike Bedigan
CNN reports that more than 40 bodies have been removed from the Potomac River as of late Thursday afternoon, citing sources with knowledge of official operations.
Dive operations were concluded for the day due to daylight, conditions on the water and the belief that most of the victims that can be reached without removing parts of the aircraft from the water have already been recovered, a law enforcement source told the outlet.
All 67 people involved in the crash are presumed dead, authorities said previously.
Local skating clubs share statement on tragedy
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Mike Bedigan
In a joint statement, put out on Thursday, the Washington Figure Skating Club and the Skating Club of Northern Virginia said they were “devastated” by Wednesday night’s collision.
“This heartbreaking accident has shaken the local skating community in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia—as well as in Boston and across the nation,” the statement read. “Our hearts go out to families, friends, and loved ones mourning this unimaginable grief.”
They added: “As we continue to process this tragedy, we honor the memories of those who we have lost—their passion for the sport, the friendships they cultivated, and the joy they brought to the ice. Their presence at our rinks and in our community is deeply felt, and their absence is indescribable.
“WFSC and SCNV are deeply committed to supporting our skaters, their families, and the wider figure-skating community during this heartbreaking time. We know that there is much concern and confusion about who was on the flight, and will share the list once it has been confirmed.”
Aviation expert explains why US airspace is not 'the safest' in the world
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Mike Bedigan
Trump to meet with victims' families at unspecified time
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Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump says he will be meeting with some of the families of the victims from the DC collision, but did not specify when.
“I will be meeting with some people that were very badly hurt with their family member, obviously, but I’ll be meeting with some of the families, yeah,” he told reporters.
Trump said he did not have plans currently to visit first responders at the site of the collision.
ATC staffing was 'not normal' at the time of crash, FAA says
22:30
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Mike Bedigan
A preliminary report by the Federal Aviation Administration has found that staffing at the DCA air traffic control tower was “not normal” at the time of the deadly crash.
The internal report, released on Thursday and reviewed by The New York Times said the controller who was handling helicopters in the airport’s vicinity on Wednesday night was also instructing planes that were landing and departing from its runways.
These jobs are typically assigned to two different controllers.
Trump signs executive order blaming Biden and DEI for DC crash
22:15
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Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump has signed an executive order effectively blaming Joe Biden and DEI for horrific DC mid-air crash.
The order is titled "Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety."
The order states: "In light of the damage done to aviation safety by the Biden administration's DEI and woke policies, what this presidential memorandum orders is your secretary of transportation and FAA administrator... to basically ensure that we are actively undoing all of that damage."
"We want the most competent people,” Trump said. “We don't care what race they are. We want the most competent people, especially in those positions.
“You're talking about extremely complex things, and if they don't have a great brain, a great power of the brain, they're not going to be very good at what they do and bad things will happen."
Insanity — Trump signs an order blaming Biden and DEI for flight dangers pic.twitter.com/rsrxItGEkP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2025
CNN pundit apologizes after sparking right-wing fury for blaming DC plane crash on Trump
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Kelly Rissman
CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers apologized on Wednesday night after deleting a tweet that placed blame on President Donald Trump for the deadly midair crash over Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., claiming he “f***ed up” by citing the president’s federal hiring freeze as a potential reason for the horrific accident.
Sellers’ initial post sparked backlash among Trump supporters and right-wing commentators, who called the former Democratic lawmaker “despicable” and a “broken human being” for tying the tragedy to Trump’s executive actions.
Officials said on Thursday that they do not expect any survivors after an American Airlines passenger plane making its landing approach collided with a Black Hawk helicopter that was on a training mission over the D.C. airport. The flight was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and carried 64 passengers and crew, including several members of the U.S. Figure Skating team. The Army helicopter had three soldiers aboard.
Read the full story.
Dad of pilot flying American Airlines jet that crashed speaks out on 'worst day of my life’
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Kelly Rissman
The father of the man piloting an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter mid-air in Washington, D.C. has spoken out.
Sam Lilley, 28, was one of two people piloting the flight from Wichita, Kansas, his father Timothy Lilley told Fox 5 Atlanta. All 67 people on board both aircraft are feared to be dead, officials say.
The collision happened Wednesday night as the American Airlines flight descended toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft collided over the Potomac River, where officials are now conducting recovery efforts.
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
WATCH: Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov reflect on their career in 2018 interview
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Kelly Rissman
Trump's transportation secretary faces Washington plane crash crisis on his first full day in office
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Kelly Rissman
In the early morning hours of Thursday, Donald Trump’s new transportation secretary Sean Duffy approached the microphone at a press conference, as search and rescue crews scoured the Potomac River looking for survivors of a crash between a military helicopter and a commercial jet near Washington.
In his first full day in office after being confirmed on Tuesday, Duffy’s agency, the Department of Transportation, was now facing down the worst U.S. aviation disaster since 9/11.
"Listen, my focus is on those who are impacted on this flight and, again, I've been the secretary for a little over a day, and the tragedy that we're going to deal with — with this recovery, I think, is touching everyone's hearts, whether it's here in the greater D.C. area or in Kansas,” he said, flanked by officials. “I think everyone here is thinking and praying for those who potentially have lost a loved one."
Josh Marcus has the story.
Democrats respond to Trump's finger-pointing at their party and DEI initiatives
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Kelly Rissman
Absolutely vile. A tragedy happens, and instead of mourning the lives lost, they use it to demonize marginalized people as they continue stripping our rights away.
— Rep. Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) January 30, 2025
Not to share facts, not to offer condolences—just to push a bigoted political agenda. Disgusting. https://t.co/dj9VDq86Z2
We've just experienced a great tragedy, and the President of the United States has already rushed to politicize it — jumping to outrageous conclusions and undermining ongoing investigations.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) January 30, 2025
His comments were grotesque and outrageous and he owes the American people an apology.
Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 30, 2025
President Trump now oversees the military and the…
Mapped: an American Airlines plane collides with US Army helicopter near DC airport.
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Kelly Rissman
NTSB member gets emotional during Washington DC plane crash conference
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Kelly Rissman
Heartbroken families gather at Reagan National as grim search turns from rescue to recovery
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Kelly Rissman
Distraught families of the victims of a deadly midair crash were rushed through Ronald Reagan National Airport in a heartbreaking scene on Thursday, the morning after a tragic crash in the skies above the nation’s capital killed 67 people.
The usually bustling airport was filled with investigators from the FBI, Homeland Security, the National Transportation Safety Board, and local and state police, as a few concerned passengers searched for their flights.
Tara Murphy-Dority, a D.C. resident who works in tech defense, said she was mourning both for her city and her colleagues in the military.
“It's very somber in Washington, D.C. right now. My heart goes out to the victim's families, and the entire United States Army,” she told The Independent as she looked for her flight to Atlanta.
Richard Hall and Michelle Del Rey have the story.
Crew Chief of Army Black Hawk that collided with American Airlines jet is identified
20:20
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Kelly Rissman
The Crew Chief on board the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into an American Airlines regional jet has been named.
Ryan O’Hara, a father-of-one, was one of the three soldiers on board the military helicopter, according to a Facebook post by Parkview High School JROTC in Atlanta, Georgia, which has since been removed.
“Ryan is fondly remembered as a guy who would fix things around the ROTC gym as well as a vital member of the Rifle Team. Ryan leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son,” the school wrote about its former student in a statement, WSB-TV Atlanta reports.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement on X after the identities of O’Hara’s and pilot Sam Lilley were revealed. “We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley as they navigate this difficult time. Both of these young Georgians shared a passion for flight and for serving others, and this terrible tragedy is that much more difficult knowing their lives were cut so unexpectedly short. Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”
Here’s more on the crew chief:
The bodies of all three soldiers who were on the helicopter have been recovered: report
20:15
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Kelly Rissman
The bodies of the three soldiers on board the Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided mid-air with a passenger jet have been recovered, according to the Associated Press.
Their remains will be at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, officials, speaking anonymously, told the outlet.
The identities of the fallen soldiers have not yet been released.
Air traffic control tower at 'not normal' staffing level: report
20:14
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Kelly Rissman
Staffing at Ronald Reagan National Airport’s air traffic control tower was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” according to an internal preliminary FAA safety report about the collision, seen by the New York Times.
One controlling was directing both helicopters near the airport and planes that were landing and departing from its runways — roles usually given to two different people.
Can't rule out human and/or mechanical factors: NTSB
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Kelly Rissman
NTSB couldn’t rule out whether human factors or mechanical factors were at play. It’s too soon to tell, Inman said.
“It’s not that we don’t have information. We do have information...We need to verify information. We need to take our time to make sure it’s accurate,” Homendy insisted.
NTSB provides briefing
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Kelly Rissman
Jennifer Homendy, chair of NTSB, said: “We’re here to assure the American people that we are going to leave no stone unturned in this investigation.”
“This is an all hands on deck event,” she said, noting nearly 50 people are on the scene.
NTSB will provide a preliminary report within 30 days and a final report after all of the facts are collected.
Information about fatalities will come from the D.C. medical examiner, Todd Inman of the NTSB said.
The black boxes have not yet been recovered, Homendy said.
Former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov among the victims
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Rhian Lubin, Tara Cobham
Ice skating coach Evgenia Shishkova and her husband Vadim Naumov, both former figure skating world champions, were also on board the plane.
They were members of the Skate Club of Boston community, joining the staff in 2017 as instructors.
The Russian couple won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994 and have reportedly lived in the US since at least 1998, where they trained young ice skaters.
The couple’s son Maxim, who competed for the US in singles, was not on the flight despite earlier reports that he was traveling with his parents.
Zeghibe confirmed that Maxim departed Wichita on Monday after competing on Sunday.
WATCH: Aviation expert responds to Trump's claim diversity and inclusion hiring to blame for Washington DC crash
19:45
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Kelly Rissman
19:15
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Kelly Rissman
Loudon County Public Schools says former students were on board the ill-fated American Airlines flight.
“Our hearts are heavy as we process the devastating news of last night’s tragic plane crash over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter,” the school district said in a statement.
“This unimaginable loss has deeply affected our community, and with great sorrow, we have learned that multiple victims were former LCPS students. Many other Loudoun families have also been impacted, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those grieving in the wake of this tragedy.”
The NTSB, which leading the investigation, will hold briefing
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Kelly Rissman
NTSB to hold a media briefing at 2:45 p.m. ET today on its investigation into yesterday’s mid-air collision involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane and a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Briefing will be held at the… pic.twitter.com/iky8k75aFC
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) January 30, 2025
Trump appoints new FAA administrator after previous leader resigned
19:00
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Kelly Rissman
Mike Whitaker, the FAA administrator under the Biden administration, resigned before Trump returned to the White House, meaning there’s a vacancy in the post amid an aviation disaster.
Back in September, Elon Musk, Trump’s “First Buddy” and head of DOGE, urged Whitaker to step down.
Whitaker announced in December that he would resign on January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was sworn in Tuesday, oversees the FAA.
Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau to serve as the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration, he announced Thursday.
Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/ U.S. Army Military District of Washington is assisting with recovery efforts
18:50
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Kelly Rissman
A statement from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/ U.S. Army Military District of Washington in the wake of the crash:
“Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this difficult time. Our top priority is to assist in the recovery efforts, while fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other investigative agencies to determine the cause of this tragic incident,” said Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commander Joint Task Force – National Capital Region/ U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we are committed to transparency and will share accurate updates as soon as they become available,” said Bredenkamp.
Six members of the Skating Club of Boston were lost in the crash
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Kelly Rissman
From the Skating Club of Boston https://t.co/xGz6htcZgD pic.twitter.com/VPbUNp7JeK
— Jackie Wong (@rockerskating) January 30, 2025
Trump baselessly blames D.C. plane crash that killed 67 on DEI and Biden
18:30
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Kelly Rissman
President Donald Trump used a deadly air crash that killed three Army aviators and 64 passengers and crew aboard an American Airlines jet to attack his two Democratic predecessors and falsely suggest the tragedy was the result of diversity initiatives in government.
In his first visit to the White House briefing room since returning to the presidency last week, Trump initially offered a moment of silence for the victims and praised the efforts of first responders.
“We must have only the highest standards for those who work in our aviation system. I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary, you remember that only the highest aptitude they have to be the highest intellect and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers,” he claimed.
“That was not so prior to getting there ... and then when I left office and Biden took over, he changed them back to lower than ever before. I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first, and they put politics at a level that nobody's ever seen because this was the lowest level. Their policy was horrible, and their politics was even worse,” Trump added.
Andrew Feinberg has the story.
'We stand in solidarity with the air traffic controllers': IFATCA
18:20
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Kelly Rissman
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations, a Montreal-based federation of professional associations, organizations, and guilds of air traffic control personnel, issued a statement, saying it was standing “in solidarity” with the air traffic controllers” involved in the tragedy.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic accident at Washington National Airport in Washington, DC.
We stand in solidarity with the air traffic controllers at the Washington National air traffic control tower, Potomac TRACON and the members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) during this difficult time. We acknowledge the immense challenges they face in the aftermath of such incidents and remain committed to providing support as needed throughout both the grieving process and the investigation.
As always, we urge the public to refrain from speculation. A thorough, independent investigation is essential to establishing the facts and identifying lessons that can enhance aviation safety. Preserving the integrity of this process is crucial to maintaining trust, accountability, and the highest standards of safety within the aviation community and across the aviation system.
WATCH: Trump uses DC plane crash conference that killed 67 to take shot at Obama
18:10
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Kelly Rissman
Pete Hegseth: Military crew involved in American Airlines crash was 'fairly experienced'
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Kelly Rissman
Pilot Sam Lilley was killed in the collision, father says
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Kelly Rissman
"This is undoubtedly the worst day of my life," Timothy Lilley told Fox 5 Atlanta. His 28-year-old son Sam Lilley was one of two pilots who lost their lives in the mid-air collision on Wednesday night.
His son recently became engaged, he said.
Timothy, who was an Army helicopter pilot for two decades, weighed in on the deadly crash.
"In the '90s, I used to fly in and out of the Pentagon regularly, and I can tell you if you are flying on the route over the Potomac and wearing night vision goggles, it's going to be very hard to see that plane. If you're not wearing the goggles, then you might have a chance,” he said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the “fairly experienced” crew members on the Black Hawk helicopter were wearing night vision goggles.
The grieving father added: "From what I can see, those guys turned right into the jet. I think the PSA jet was doing everything right. The Army pilot made a grave error. It hurts me because those are my brothers, and now my son is dead."
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg slams Trump's claims as 'despicable'
17:50
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Kelly Rissman
At Thursday’s briefing, Trump tried to link DEI measures and Democrats to the aviation crash.
He specifically called out Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation under Biden.
Buttigieg pushed back.
Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 30, 2025
President Trump now oversees the military and the…
Maryland Senator calls on Trump to apologize for 'grotesque' remarks
17:43
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Kelly Rissman
We've just experienced a great tragedy, and the President of the United States has already rushed to politicize it — jumping to outrageous conclusions and undermining ongoing investigations.
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) January 30, 2025
His comments were grotesque and outrageous and he owes the American people an apology.
17:40
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Kelly Rissman
Six members of a figure skating club from Massachusetts, including two teenagers, are among those who died on board the doomed American Airlines flight that crashed into an Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C.
The passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed mid-air with the helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening.
All 67 people on board both aircraft that crashed down into the Potomac River are feared dead, Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said at a briefing on Thursday, and at least 28 bodies have now been recovered from the water.
Rhian Lubin and Tara Cobham have the story.
Vice President J.D. Vance echoes Trump's DEI rhetoric
17:30
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Kelly Rissman
Speaking at the Thursday morning briefing, the vice president underscored President Trump’s blame on FAA’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
He said: "We want to hire the best people, because we want the best people at air traffic control, and we want to make sure we have enough people at air traffic control who are actually competent to do the job.”
Trump blames diversity and inclusion for crash that claimed 67 lives
17:20
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Kelly Rissman
Search and rescue crew face dangerously cold Potomac River waters
17:15
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Kelly Rissman
Crews working to retrieve the passengers of the American Airlines jet and the army helicopter that collided and crashed into the Potomac on Wednesday night have to contend with the dangerously cold waters of the Potomac River.
Water temperatures between 33 and 36 degrees were reported near the crash site shortly after the incident, which is believed to have taken the lives of all who were involved. Just a degree below is considered to be freezing.
“At these frigid water temperatures, the human body’s core temperature quickly drops. Exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in as little as 15 to 30 minutes,” AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin explained in a statement.
Julia Musto has the story.
Hope ends for finding survivors as investigators say 67 feared dead
17:00
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Kelly Rissman
Emergency crews who waded through the frigid waters of the Potomac River through the night are now shifting to a recovery operation after an American Airlines plane carrying 64 people collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.
The passenger flight, carrying 64 people from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a military helicopter carrying four around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
No survivors are expected, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said at a Thursday morning press conference.
Emergency responders conducted their rescue mission through the night in what D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described as “tough and heartbreaking conditions,” referring to ice-covered water and heavy winds. The operation has now shifted to a recovery mission.
So far, 28 bodies have been recovered — one from the helicopter and 27 from the American Airlines flight.
Read the full story.
President Trump claims FAA's DEI policies could be linked to collision
16:59
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Kelly Rissman
The president blamed the federal agency’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies days after he ordered to terminate DEI policies in federal agencies.
“The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website,” Trump said at Thursday morning’s briefing.
The program allowed for the hiring of individuals with a number of conditions, including hearing and vision issues, paralysis, epilepsy and “dwarfism.”
Trump said air traffic controllers needed to be “psychologically superior.”
“They have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses,” he said. “You can’t have regular people doing their job.”
WATCH: Trump says 'we have strong opinions' on what led to deadly DC plane crash
16:53
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Kelly Rissman
Not clear what led to crash: Trump
16:33
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Kelly Rissman
“We did not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we’ll probably state those opinions now, because over the years, I’ve watched as things like this happen,” Trump said.
“We think we have some pretty good ideas, but we’ll find out how this disaster occurred, and we’ll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again,” the president continued.
Trump used the briefing to attack his predecessors
16:30
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Kelly Rissman
Trump used the press conference on Thursday morning to slam his predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Talking about requirements for air traffic control workers, Trump said: “I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first and they put politics at a level that nobody’s ever seen.”
First Lady Melania Trump offers condolences to loved ones of those killed in tragedy
16:30
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Kelly Rissman
My heart goes out to those impacted by last night’s terrible tragedy. I pray for those who so sadly lost their lives, their families & loved ones, & the first responders who have worked tirelessly through the night. May they find strength and solace in this difficult time.
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 30, 2025
President Trump gives update in 'an hour of anguish for our nation'
16:26
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Kelly Rissman
Donald Trump walked into the briefing room at 11.20 a.m. and requested a moment of silence for the victims.
“I speak to you this morning in an hour of anguish for our nation,” he said. “Real tragedy.”
Emergency crews leveraged “every asset at our disposal” to rescue the victims.
On behalf of himself and First Lady Melania Trump, “our hearts are shattered,” he said. He offered prayers to victims’ families.
The cause of the collision is still unknown, he said.
Former President Joe Biden is 'praying' for family of victims
16:15
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Kelly Rissman
Jill and I are praying for the families of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the plane and helicopter crash near DCA. We are immensely grateful to the brave first responders and emergency personnel on the scene.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2025
President Donald Trump about to give press conference
15:55
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Kelly Rissman
The president will be giving a br
