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Some D.C. plane crash victims were affiliated with Philly and Delaware skating clubs, including ex-coach; no survivors believed

A passenger plane collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.

Search and rescue efforts are seen around a wreckage site in the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, early Thursday morning, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Search and rescue efforts are seen around a wreckage site in the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, early Thursday morning, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Read more
Carolyn Kaster / AP
What you should know
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  1. A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington. 

  2. Officials said there were no survivors. Efforts are now focused on recovery.

  3. Several victims were associated with skating clubs in Philadelphia and Delaware.

  4. Flights resumed taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport shortly after 11 a.m. Eastern.

  5. It is the first fatal commercial aviation accident in the United States in 16 years.

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Jan. 30, 8:12 a.m. ET
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Airline accident in Washington, D.C.: Here's what we know

What caused the collision? That’s unclear. The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred Wednesday around 9 p.m. Eastern when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kan., collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway. The helicopter was on a training flight, an official told the Associated Press.

Are there any survivors? The precise number of victims is unclear. American Airlines says 60 passengers and four crew members were on the plane. Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. Officials said they have recovered 28 bodies and don't believe there are any survivors.

Jan. 30, 9:47 p.m. ET
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NTSB says it has recovered voice and data recorders from jet

The National Transportation Safety Board said it has recovered the voice and data recorders from American Airlines Flight 5342.

“NTSB investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 airplane involved in yesterday’s midair collision at DCA,” a National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said. “The recorders are at the NTSB labs for evaluation.”

Jan. 30, 7:35 p.m. ET
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U.S. Sen. Chris Coons mourns death of three from Delaware

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons issued a statement Thursday night mourning the deaths of three people from Delaware who were killed in the crash involving an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter in Washington D.C.

“I’m devastated to hear the news that at least three Delawareans died during last night’s air collision," the senator from Delaware said.

Jan. 30, 5:26 p.m. ET
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Some victims killed in crash are connected to the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, school president says

Two young members of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club were believed to be aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it crashed into the Potomac River, as was a former club coach.

"Our hearts go out to the families and friends of all of the victims of this horrific tragedy," University of Delaware president Dennis Assanis said in a statement.

Jan. 30, 4:20 p.m. ET
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Air traffic control tower staffing was 'not normal' at time of crash

Staffing was "not normal" in the air traffic control tower at Washington’s Reagan National Airport at the time of Wednesday's deadly crash.

That’s according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration that was obtained by The Associated Press.

Jan. 30, 4:07 p.m. ET
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Delaware-based figure skating coach among those killed in crash

A Delaware-based figure skating coach was among those killed in Wednesday night's deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.

Alexandr Kirsanov, a Newark resident, was aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 after accompanying two students to a figure skating training camp in Wichita, Kansas, his wife, Natalya Gudin, confirmed to ABC News. Gudin, who is also a coach, said she last spoke to Kirsanov Wednesday afternoon ahead of the flight's boarding.

Jan. 30, 2:29 p.m. ET
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Some victims killed in crash were affiliated with Philly figure skating club, group says

In a new statement, the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society confirmed several people who died in Wednesday night’s airline crash were associated with the local group. 

“Sadly, one of the families lost just became members of our club and another shared his talent with us at our recent 175th Anniversary Gala,” the group said. “We share this loss and grief with the entire USFS Community.”

Jan. 30, 1:18 p.m. ET
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Trump baselessly blames DEI for D.C. plane crash in wild news conference

President Donald Trump on Thursday questioned the actions of the army helicopter pilot and air traffic controller ahead of a deadly midair collision in Washington and quickly veered into politics to speculate that Democrats and diversity initiatives shared blame for the deaths of 67 people.

Speaking from the White House — just over three miles from the scene — Trump at points acknowledged that it was too soon to draw conclusions as he encouraged the nation to pray for the victims. But he moved nonetheless to assign blame, attack political opponents and unleash grievances about diversity initiatives.

Jan. 30, 11:55 a.m. ET
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Other countries lost citizens in plane crash, Trump says

President Donald Trump said there were passengers from several different countries on the American Airlines flight that collided with an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C.

Two Russian figure skaters — married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov — were on the flight, according to Russian state media.

Jan. 30, 11:47 a.m. ET
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Transportation secretary: Crash 'shouldn't have happened'

Transportation secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday night's deadly plane crash could have been avoided and that the department takes responsibility for the incident.

“What happened yesterday shouldn't have happened,” Duffy said. “And when Americans take off in airplanes, they should expect to land at their destination. That didn't happen yesterday. That's not acceptable.”

Jan. 30, 11:40 a.m. ET
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Flights resume taking off from Reagan National Airport

Flights resumed taking off from Reagan National Airport shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday.

Planes had been grounded since the Wednesday night collision.

Jan. 30, 11:32 a.m. ET
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Trump announces nominee for FAA director

President Donald Trump announced he was nominating Christopher Rocheleau, a longtime senior FAA official, to become the agency’s next director.

Rocheleau is serving in an acting role that had not been announced publicly, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Jan. 30, 11:29 a.m. ET
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No survivors in D.C. plane crash, Trump says

President Donald Trump said there were no survivors in the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.

“We're all overcome with the grief for many who have so tragically perished, who will no longer be with us together,” Trump said.

Jan. 30, 10:40 a.m. ET
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Philadelphia Skating Club: 'We are devastated'

In a new statement this morning, the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society sent thoughts and prayers to those impacted by Wednesday night’s crash.

“We are devastated,” wrote the group, which is the oldest skating club in the country. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the passengers aboard the American Airlines flight that crashed in Washington, D.C.”

Jan. 30, 11:00 a.m. ET
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Trump news conference after deadly plane crash in D.C.

Jan. 30, 10:37 a.m. ET
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The last FAA director quit when Trump took office. Who’s in charge now?

Michael Whitaker, who led the Federal Aviation Administration for a year, announced he would leave his post in December, shortly after Elon Musk demanded he quit.

Whitaker stepped down on Jan. 20, leaving President Donald Trump’s administration without a Senate-confirmed leader at the start of his term.

Jan. 30, 10:15 a.m. ET
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Army helicopter crew was on a training flight, Defense secretary says

The Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines airplane in Washington D.C. was on an "annual proficiency training flight" using night-vision goggles., Defense secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday morning.

Hegseth said the Department of Defense is holding back the names of the victims until all families have been notified, but said the Black Hawk helicopter was being flown by a “fairly experienced crew.”

— Rob Tornoe

Jan. 30, 10:05 a.m. ET
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Trump to offer updates on plane accident

President Donald Trump is scheduled to offer an update at 11 a.m. about the deadly plane accident in Washington D.C. Thursday, according to his public calendar.

— Rob Tornoe

Jan. 30, 9:44 a.m. ET
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Fact Check: Did Donald Trump’s recent FAA executive order impact flight safety?

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House.
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House.Read moreJabin Botsford / The Washington Post

Following the commercial jet crash Wednesday evening, social media users have been quick to highlight an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week that placed a hiring freeze on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Critics claim the freeze could have impacted aviation safety and say the collision is an example of other swift ramifications to come from Trump’s policies. But is that accurate?

Jan. 30, 9:11 a.m. ET
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Impacts at Philly airport are minimal

A Philadelphia International Airport spokesperson said the airport wasn’t experiencing any major impacts from the crash in D.C. but that some schedule shifts should be expected.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with all of those impacted by the tragic incident that took place last night,” said airport spokesperson Heather Redfern.

Jan. 30, 9:05 a.m. ET
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Figure skaters among those feared dead in plane crash

World champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia execute a throw during the pairs short competition at the World Figure Skating competition in Edmonton, Alberta, March 19, 1996.
World champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov of Russia execute a throw during the pairs short competition at the World Figure Skating competition in Edmonton, Alberta, March 19, 1996.Read moreDave Buston / AP

Several figure skaters along with their coaches and loved ones were on the American Airlines jet that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter Wednesday night, according to U.S. Figure Skating, which released a statement about the crash Thursday morning.

Wichita, Kan., where the flight departed before heading to D.C.‘s Ronald Reagan National Airport, hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championship last week along with a training camp that wrapped this week.

Jan. 30, 8:40 a.m. ET
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American Airlines sets up centers for people seeking information about family members

American Airlines has sent up centers in Washington and in Wichita, Kansas, for people seeking information about family members.

There’s also a hotline for people looking for family and friends: 1-800 679 8215.

Jan. 30, 7:59 a.m. ET
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Reagan national airport to reopen later this morning

Ronald Reagan National Airport, which has been closed following the accident, will reopen at 11 a.m. Eastern, said Jack Potter, CEO of Washington's airport authority.

— Rob Tornoe

Jan. 30, 7:52 a.m. ET
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'We don't believe there are any survivors': 28 bodies recovered in fatal air accident

D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said officials have yet to record any survivors after an American Airlines passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night. 

“At this point, we don't believe there are any survivors from this accident, and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,” Donnelly said in a news conference Thursday morning. 

Jan. 30, 7:44 a.m. ET
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Transportation secretary says there was nothing 'unusual' ahead of collision

Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news conference Thursday it was a clear night in Washington, D.C., Wednesday and that both the Army helicopter and American Airlines flight were flying in standard patterns before the collision.

“This was not unusual, with a military aircraft flying the river and aircraft landing at DCA,” Duffy said. “If you live in the area, you'll see that frequently, with those two aircraft working together.”

Jan. 30, 7:26 a.m. ET
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Washington Mayor Muriel Browser updates on plane crash

Jan. 30, 7:23 a.m. ET
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Many feared dead after American Airlines plane collided with Army helicopter

An American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunted for any survivors.

Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said.

Jan. 30, 7:20 a.m. ET
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First fatal airline accident in U.S. in 16 years

The aircraft that collided Wednesday over the Potomac River near Washington D.C. was a Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine plane carrying 64 people and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. It’s not clear yet how many people were killed.

Fatal crashes of commercial aircraft in the U.S. have become a rarity. The deadliest recent crash took place on Feb. 12, 2009 near Buffalo, New York.