A catastrophic midair collision over Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet. The accident occurred around 9:00 PM local time, leading to an immediate ground stop at the airport as emergency crews responded.
Among the victims was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, a Mississippi native and one of the Black Hawk’s pilots. His wife confirmed his passing on social media, requesting privacy and prayers.
Also aboard the helicopter was Ryan O’Hara, a crew chief from Georgia, remembered for his dedication to his high school ROTC rifle team and his problem-solving skills. He leaves behind a wife and young child, according to statements by the American military.
Two other crew members have not yet been named. “At the request of the family, the name of the third soldier will not be released at this time,” the Army said when asked about the pilot, “a female aviator,” according to The New York Times. Her remains have not yet been recovered.
“We do know on our side who was involved. It was a fairly experienced crew, and that was doing a required annual night evaluation,” Hegseth said in a video message obtained by Fox News. “We anticipate that the investigation will quickly be able to determine whether the aircraft was in the quarter at the right altitude at the time of the incident.”
“It’s a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner. And of course, the three soldiers in that Black Hawk. They’re in our prayers, their families and their communities as people are notified,” Hegseth added.
According to military officials, the Black Hawk was conducting an annual proficiency training flight when it collided with the passenger aircraft, which carried 60 passengers and four crew members.
Search efforts continued overnight in freezing temperatures, but by Thursday morning, authorities confirmed the transition from rescue to recovery operations. DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly reported that nearly 30 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage in the Potomac River.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who had been sworn in just hours before the tragedy, pledged a full investigation, emphasizing that both aircraft were operating under normal conditions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the Black Hawk’s crew as experienced and undergoing a routine night evaluation at the time of the crash.
President Donald Trump reacted on social media, calling the crash “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented,” while Vice President JD Vance urged Americans to keep the victims’ families in their prayers.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation into the cause of the collision, with officials promising further updates as more details become available.
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