A crane is currently overseeing recovery operations in the Potomac River, following a tragic incident where a passenger jet collided with a military helicopter, marking the most serious aviation disaster in the US in over two decades. The recovery phase commenced on Monday, with divers assessing the underwater debris and a plan formulated to retrieve the wreckage, which is expected to last at least a week.
During this phase, the first visible piece of debris retrieved was a jet engine, which appeared largely intact, as recovery crews worked in freezing conditions. So far, 55 out of 67 victims have been identified, many of whom were involved in US Figure Skating events. The US Army Corps of Engineers is managing the operation while prioritising the respectful recovery of victims.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with initial data suggesting the passenger jet had a brief increase in altitude before the impact. Significant questions remain regarding the helicopter’s altitude at the time of the collision, especially since it was expected to remain below 200 feet, and whether air traffic control was adequately staffed during the incident. Investigators are analysing black box data to piece together further details, although a preliminary report may take up to a month to be released.