In a devastating incident near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, an American Airlines passenger jet from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in mid-air, leading to the death of all individuals on board.

The collision occurred as the jet was preparing to land, with the helicopter engaged in a training mission. The crash resulted in a fireball visible from parts of Washington, D.C., with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. Emergency response units shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation early Thursday morning after no survivors were found.

Officials confirmed that the passenger jet carried 64 people, including several members of the figure skating community, while the helicopter had three soldiers aboard. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered from the river, with authorities expressing confidence in recovering all victims.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as “absolutely preventable,” highlighting that both aircraft were following standard flight patterns at the time of the crash. This has led to questions about air traffic control procedures and the coordination between military and civilian flights in the congested airspace around the nation’s capital.

The National Transportation Safety Board is now leading the investigation into the exact cause of the collision, focusing on communication between the aircraft and air traffic control, as well as the adherence to flight paths.

Reagan National Airport, which was closed following the incident, is set to reopen at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with airlines adjusting their flight schedules accordingly.

This tragedy has reignited discussions about the safety and capacity of Reagan National Airport, especially with recent expansions in flight operations. The community, particularly those connected to the figure skating world, mourns the loss of promising athletes and coaches, with vigils planned to honor those lost in this catastrophe.