In a tragic incident near Reagan Washington National Airport, an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided and crashed into the Potomac River. Recovery efforts are underway as authorities work to remove the aircraft from the frigid waters.
The pilot of the Black Hawk helicopter has been identified as 28-year-old Captain Rebecca Lobach, who was undergoing her annual proficiency evaluation at the time of the collision. The instructor pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, 39, and crew chief, Staff Sergeant Ryan O’Hara, 28, were also on board and tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Captain Lobach, a former aide to Joe Biden, had over 450 hours of flying experience, while Chief Warrant Officer Eaves had more than 1,000 hours. The collision between the helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342 resulted in the death of all three soldiers, as both aircraft plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River.
The incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks that come with aviation operations, and the importance of safety measures and protocols to prevent such tragedies. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision as they work to recover the aircraft from the river.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
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Video “LIVE: American Airlines plane removed from Potomac river” was uploaded on 02/04/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times