Tragic Aviation Disaster Claims 67 Lives
A devastating plane crash over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night resulted in the deaths of 67 people, marking one of the worst aviation disasters in decades. The tragedy occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers on a training mission.
The commercial jet, which had been en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport in D.C., crashed into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors.
Victims Include Prominent Figures
Among those who perished were several well-known members of the figure skating community, including sisters Everly (14) and Alydia (11), known on social media as the “Ice Skating Sisters”, as well as 1994 World Champion pair skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Another heartbreaking loss was Elizabeth Keys, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney, who tragically died on her 33rd birthday. Reports indicate that she had changed her flight in order to return home earlier and celebrate the occasion with her long-term boyfriend, David.
Elizabeth’s family expressed their profound grief in a statement:
“Words cannot express how deeply Elizabeth, my Bitsy, will be missed. We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.”
They went on to describe her as:
“A 2014 graduate of Tufts University, Liz was an accomplished sailor and made lifelong friends on the varsity team. She later earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020.
Liz was warm, generous, and had a sharp wit. She had a way of making every gathering brighter. Her laughter, kindness, and wonderful hugs will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
Her boyfriend, David, remembered her as someone who always “pushed you to be the best version of yourself.”
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest that the Army helicopter and the American Airlines jet were on a collision course for an extended period of time, raising questions about why no corrective action was taken.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the tragedy, calling it a “preventable disaster” on his social media platform:
“It was a clear night, the airplane’s lights were blazing, and yet the helicopter flew directly at the plane for an extended period. Why didn’t the helicopter go up, down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower intervene? This should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!!”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed similar sentiments in a press conference on Thursday:
“We are still gathering information, but based on what we know so far, I completely agree with the president—this crash appears to have been entirely preventable.”
A Heartbreaking Loss
The crash has left families, friends, and communities mourning the loss of their loved ones. As investigations continue, many are left wondering how such a catastrophe could have occurred.
Rest in peace to all those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.