The recovery of all victims from the tragic midair collision near Reagan National Airport has been completed. While 66 victims have been positively identified, the final victim awaits confirmation. Salvage operations continue in the Potomac River, with a focus on retrieving any remaining remains with respect and dignity.
All 67 victims from the midair collision near Reagan National Airport have been recovered, according to Unified Command, but only 66 of them have been positively identified. Officials are waiting on testing results to positively identify the final victim, according to a spokesperson for the Unified Command efforts. 'This marks a significant step in bringing closure to the impacted families and community,' a press release announcing this update stated.
The remaining wreckage is still being cleared from the Potomac River. 'While all victims have been identified, salvage operations will continue with a strict commitment to the dignified recovery of any additional remains,' the press release states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, is leading the wreckage removal operations. Large lifts are scheduled to continue through Tuesday evening, with unloading expected on Wednesday when environmental and tidal conditions allow it. Operations will then shift to recovering wreckage from the Black Hawk helicopter. 'Our hearts are with the victims’ families as they navigate this tragic loss,' Unified Commands officials said in a statement. 'We extend our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time.' The community is urged to call 911 if they have information related to the recovery efforts in the Potomac or Anacostia Rivers or on the shore. Officials advise against touching or removing any items, emphasizing that following this guidance is critical to supporting the impacted families and the investigation. The American Airlines jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter had three soldiers on board. According to the Associated Press, a few minutes before the jet was to land, air traffic controllers asked American Airlines Flight 5342 if it could do so on a shorter runway, and the pilots agreed. Controllers cleared the jet to land and flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway. Less than 30 seconds before the collision, an air traffic controller asked a helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later, saying “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ' — apparently telling the copter to wait for the Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet to pass, AP reported. There was no reply, and the aircraft collided seconds later. The NTSB reported that preliminary data from the investigation revealed conflicting altitude readings between the two aircraft. According to the NTSB, the jet's flight recorder indicated an altitude of 325 feet, with a margin of error of 25 feet. However, data from the control tower showed the Black Hawk at 200 feet, which is the maximum allowed altitude for helicopters in the area. Investigators are examining the actions of the military pilot as well as air traffic control after the helicopter flew into the jet’s path. NTSB investigations normally take at least a year, though investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days
AIR CRASH VICTIMS IDENTIFICATION RECOVERY NTSB INVESTIGATION REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT
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