Washington Air Disaster: Who Died and What Are the Causes?
A passenger plane operated by American Airlines collided midair with a military helicopter over Washington, D.C. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, and all 67 people on board died. Among the passengers were athletes and coaches, including Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. The investigation is ongoing, with the main theories pointing to pilot or air traffic control errors.
What Happened?
The collision occurred on January 30, 2025, at around 9:00 PM local time.
- A Bombardier CRJ700 (Flight 5342, PSA Airlines) was approaching Reagan National Airport for landing.
- A Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk military helicopter was on a training flight.
- The helicopter crossed the path of the passenger plane, leading to a collision.
- Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, with wreckage found at a depth of 1.5–2.4 meters.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the deaths of all passengers, calling the tragedy a "moment of national sorrow."
Who Was on Board?
All 67 people onboard perished:
- 60 passengers and 4 crew members from the plane.
- 3 military personnel from the helicopter.
Among the victims were figure skaters and coaches returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
- Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov – 1994 world champions, working as coaches in the U.S.
- Inna Volyanskaya – 1980 USSR championship bronze medalist, coaching in Virginia.
- 16-year-old skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, along with their parents and several coaches.
Why Did the Collision Happen?
The investigation is ongoing, but key theories include:
- Helicopter pilot error – Black Hawk did not alter course despite air traffic control warnings.
- Insufficient air traffic control intervention – controllers should have given clearer instructions to the military aircraft.
- High airspace congestion – Washington’s airspace handles over 800 takeoffs and landings daily.
According to audio records, the helicopter pilot did not respond to air traffic control’s queries, which warned of the approaching passenger plane.
What Happens Next?
Experts are calling for a review of military helicopter flight protocols in civilian airspace. Investigators are trying to determine why the Black Hawk was flying at an unusual altitude and why its crew failed to follow air traffic control instructions.
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