The crash prompted significant disruption at Reagan National Airport, and flights were being diverted to other locations.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter acknowledged the tragedy, noting that American Airlines had established a center inside the airport to provide support for friends and families of those aboard.
“We’ve directed the families there, and there are counselors there to work with the families,” he said. Rescue teams faced significant challenges in recovering victims due to the depth and conditions of the Potomac River.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the river has an average depth of 24 feet, with some portions reaching as deep as 107 feet near Morgantown, Maryland. The frigid temperatures and strong currents further complicated recovery efforts.
President Donald Trump responded to the tragedy on his Truth Social platform, criticizing the circumstances leading to the collision. “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time,” he wrote.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!” he concluded.
This midair collision is a grim reminder of other recent aviation disasters, including the helicopter crash into a radio tower in Houston in October 2024.
As search efforts continue and investigators work to piece together the final moments before impact, the recordings offer a chilling insight into how quickly disaster can unfold and will be crucial in determining the cause of this devastating crash.
