Following the tragic midair collision between a commercial airliner and a Black Hawk helicopter last week near Washington, D.C., officials have confirmed the recovery and identification of 55 bodies from the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, Sr. announced on Sunday that 55 of the 67 victims have been identified. One first responder suffered hypothermia during the challenging recovery operation in the frigid waters but has since recovered.
Efforts to retrieve the wreckage from the Potomac are set to commence on Monday. Col. Francis Pera of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers expressed confidence in a successful lift operation, outlining plans to immediately cover the recovered debris with a tent to protect any human remains. The process involves careful monitoring of the lift to ensure any remains are handled with utmost respect and care.
Emergency responders work near the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers following the midair collision. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The collision involved a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Preliminary data from the plane's flight data recorder reveals it was struck by the helicopter at an altitude of approximately 325 feet. The data also indicates a slight pitch increase in the aircraft just before impact. While air traffic control initially placed the plane's altitude at 200 feet at the time of impact, NTSB member Todd Inman stated that further analysis is needed to reconcile the discrepancy and incorporate data from the Black Hawk's recorder.
Crews work to recover the wreckage of the commercial airliner. (Leigh Green for Fox News Digital)
The scale of the recovery operation, involving 67 potential victims and two aircraft, presents unique challenges, according to Jake Crockett, a firefighter and diver with Chesterfield Fire & EMS. He highlighted the near-zero visibility in the Potomac River, making the search for small aircraft parts exceptionally difficult. The cold temperatures and murky water further complicate the already demanding task.
Air traffic continues near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the collision. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
