Families of 67 Americans killed in a preventable mid-air crash demand accountability from federal agencies.
Story Highlights
- NTSB declares the January 29, 2025, collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk “100% preventable” due to ignored warnings and multiple failures.
- One year later, on January 28, 2026, grieving families held a memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring victims including 28 figure skaters while pushing for urgent aviation reforms.
- Sen. Ted Cruz’s locator system bill nears passage, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praising family advocacy under President Trump’s push for accountability.
- Lawsuits target airlines, Army, and FAA for negligence, highlighting government overreach failures that endangered civilians.
Memorial Marks First Anniversary Amid Calls for Reform
Families gathered at Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2026, for a solemn memorial marking one year since the deadly crash. Victims’ relatives shared personal stories, politicians spoke in support, and musical performances accompanied a montage of photos and videos. The event honored 28 figure skaters from the Skating Club of Boston among the 67 lost. First responders received medals for their freezing-water recovery efforts. Families reiterated demands for aviation safety upgrades.
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Crash Details Reveal Systemic Failures
The mid-air collision occurred at 8:47:59 p.m. on January 29, 2025, near Reagan National Airport. American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines from Wichita, Kansas, struck a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The airliner carried 64 passengers and crew; the helicopter had three aboard. Both plunged into the river, with the helicopter exploding and the plane splitting in half. No survivors emerged by 2:50 a.m. the next day. This marked the deadliest U.S. plane crash since 2001.
NTSB Testimony Exposes Preventable Tragedy
On January 27, 2026, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy testified before Congress that the crash stemmed from years of ignored warnings and near-misses in busy airspace. An animation depicted the final moments, emotionally overwhelming families, some of whom required escorts. Homendy stressed multiple failures with no single cause, deeming the incident fully preventable. She issued recommendations for collision-avoidance technology upgrades, urging action from Congress, the Army, and the Trump administration to prevent future losses.
Stakeholders Push for Accountability and Change
Victims’ families, including Doug Lane and Matt Collins, along with attorney Robert Clifford, shared grief-driven stories at the memorial and sued PSA Airlines, American Airlines, the U.S. Army, and federal entities for negligence since September 24, 2025. They demand mandatory locator systems. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed condolences and retired the flight number. The FAA imposed helicopter route restrictions post-crash. Sen. Ted Cruz advanced a locator bill near passage. Secretary Sean Duffy and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins voiced support, announcing a Potomac memorial plaque.
HONORING THE VICTIMS: Families of 67 Killed in US Aircraft Crash Remember Loved Ones and Call for Reforms pic.twitter.com/IkTAYlwAUI
— SEGAMI (@segamihcfund) January 29, 2026
Ongoing Reforms Under Trump Administration
Lawsuits continue as airlines seek dismissal, while FAA restrictions on Routes 1 and 4 limit non-essential helicopter flights near the airport. The crash echoes the 1982 Air Florida Potomac incident but stands as the first fatal CRJ700 hull loss and Army Black Hawk-commercial jet collision in decades. Families emphasize “paying it forward” through reforms to protect civilians from mixed military-civilian airspace risks. President Trump’s Transportation Department prioritizes these safety measures, aligning with commitments to secure American lives against bureaucratic failures.
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Families of 67 Killed in US Aircraft Crash Remember Loved Ones and Call for Reforms
2025 Potomac River mid-air collision
