Originally appeared on E! Online
More has come to light about the fatal collision over the Potomac River.
Days after American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter collided mid-air in Washington, D.C., officials shared that the military aircraft had been warned by air traffic control about the incoming plane.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Bryce Banning confirmed during a Feb. 1 press conference that the control tower requested the regional jet switch runways at 8:43 p.m. local time. As he explained, “After a brief discussion between the crew, they agreed to Runway 33.”
At 8:46 p.m., the tower informed the Black Hawk helicopter that the traffic nearby was the airplane “just south of the Wilson Bridge” at 1,200 feet that was “circling to Runway 33.” At 8:47 p.m., Banning said an audible radio transmission asked the helicopter if the plane—which carried 60 passengers and four crew members—was “in sight.”
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After three seconds, the helicopter was directed to “pass behind” the plane, Banning explained, adding that 16 seconds later, the plane’s crew “had a verbal reaction,” and the Flight Data Recorder showed the aircraft began tilting the nose upward before the air traffic control heard “sounds of impact.” (All 67 passengers were killed.)
NTSB board member Todd Inman also shared insight into the Black Hawk’s safety protocol.
“We can verify it was on a training flight that would utilize night vision goggles,” he said during the press conference. “We do not know at this time if the night vision goggles were actively being worn, nor what the setting may be.”
However, he emphasized, “Further investigation should be able to let us know if that occurred and what factor it may play in the overall accident.”
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As more details come out about the fatal crash, loved ones mourned the passengers onboard the aircrafts. Andrew Beyer, who lost his wife Justyna and 12-year-old daughter Brielle, reflected on their deaths. The tween even beat her battle with cancer at just 4 months old.
“She was just such a fighter in everything she did,” he told ABC News Jan. 31. “She just lived life to the fullest with everything.”
And he couldn’t help but gush over Brielle’s work ethic when it came to figure skating. (14 passengers onboard with figure skaters, coaches and parents.)
“She was so proud of herself in figure skating for the progress she had made,” he added to the outlet. “Making that team was one of her life goals. And she achieved it. And she was just so, so proud of herself.”
Keep reading for more details on the tragic collision.
What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?
On the evening of Jan. 29, American Airlines flight 5342 traveling from Witchita, Kan., to Washington, D.C. collided with a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Reagan Washington National Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter. The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and the helicopter, which had three people aboard, crashed into the Potomac River.
The passenger jet, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, was operated by American Airlines’ subsidiary airline, PSA Airlines.
What was first a rescue mission has become a recovery operation, District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly confirmed Jan. 31 that all 67 passengers in both aircraft are presumed dead.
“At this point, we do not believe there were any survivors,” the official said at a Jan. 30 press conference. “We will work to find all the bodies and reunite them with their loved ones.”
As officials put the pieces together surrounding the horrific incident, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared that the helicopter was in a “standard flight pattern” during the collision and was aware of the plane in the vicinity.
“Last night, the helicopter was in a standard pattern,” he explained at the press conference. “If you live in the D.C. area, you’ll see helicopters up and down the river, this flight pattern is seen oftentimes when you live in D.C.”
Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?
Among the 60 passengers were 14 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating.
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships,” the governing body shared in a statement obtained by NBC News. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
World champion Russian figure skating duo Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who wed in 1995, were also onboard, Russian state media confirmed.
“Bad news from Washington today,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, per NBC News. “We grieve and console with the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in this plane crash.”
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was also on the American Airlines flight, was waiting for her at the international airport.
“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now as we speak,” he told CBS affiliate WUSA9. “That’s all I can pray for. I’m just praying to God.”
A Cedarville University student, Grace Maxwell, was also onboard the flight after attending her grandfather’s funeral, the university said in a Jan. 31 press release.
Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?
The helicopter was from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion out of Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Public Affairs Deputy Director for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington Ron McLendon II confirmed to NBC News.
The official shared that the aircraft was in the middle of a training mission at the time of the collision.
What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?
The FAA, U.S. Army and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision, with the latter taking the lead. The Pentagon has also initiated its own investigation.
While there are still more questions than answers, former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti told Today that the air traffic control communications that night are “going to be scrutinized by the NTSB, that controller will be interviewed and the radar data will be looked at by the NTSB.”
Investigators recovered two black boxes—which record the information from the flight and its route—that belonged to the airplane Jan. 30, the NTSB told NBC News.
Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River?
President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” the White House statement said. “May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ilia Malinin, the men’s figure skater who won his third consecutive U.S. figure skating title in Witchita Jan. 26, confirmed he was not onboard the flight. He wrote on his Instagram Stories, “I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is OK.”
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her grief, saying at a press conference that their “hearts are heavy as a city.”
“We mourn with all those who have been impacted,” she said. “This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas, forever.”
Two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan shared an emotional message to reporters about the crash that claimed the lives of six skaters from Skating Club of Boston, where the athlete also formerly trained.
“I just wanted to be here and be part of our community,” Kerrigan said through tears. “When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s an even bigger blow.”
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