On Wednesday, American Eagle Flight 5342 departed Wichita, Kansas, headed for Washington D.C. Among the passengers was figure skater Spencer Lane, who shared a photo of the plane on Instagram just before take-off. However, tragedy struck during the flight when the plane collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. Witnesses described seeing a fireball as both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, resulting in the deadliest aviation disaster in the US in nearly 25 years.
The Flight 5342 jet carried 60 passengers and four crew members, including aspiring figure skating stars and their families, while the helicopter transported a crew of three on a training mission. The doomed flight was reportedly cleared for landing when it encountered the military helicopter, which may have been outside its designated flight path.
Immediate rescue efforts were launched, with first responders facing difficult conditions to retrieve victims from the wreckage. At least 41 bodies have been recovered, while the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The incident has left a profound impact on the community and highlighted the complexities of air traffic management in crowded airspaces.