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Military Helicopter Collides with Passenger Jet Over Washington, D.C., Killing 67

Breaking NewsMilitary Helicopter Collides with Passenger Jet Over Washington, D.C., Killing 67

Washington, D.C., Feb. 1, 2025 — A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter conducting a government continuity drill collided midair with a commercial passenger jet over the Potomac River late Friday night, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft, according to federal and military officials.

The collision occurred at approximately 9:42 p.m. as the helicopter was en route to an undisclosed location. The passenger plane, operated by a regional airline, had just taken off from Reagan National Airport when the two aircraft unexpectedly converged in restricted airspace.

“The loss of life is devastating,” said Brigadier General Anthony Cartwright in a briefing Saturday morning. “We are committed to understanding exactly what led to this tragic event.”

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision, but preliminary reports suggest a lapse in air traffic control staffing may have contributed. Reagan National had only 19 controllers on duty at the time—well below the recommended 30.

The military confirmed that the exercise was part of a classified continuity of government program, designed to evacuate senior officials in the event of a national emergency. Two of the three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk have been identified, though the name of the third is being withheld at the request of the family.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have begun piecing together the last moments before the crash. Recovery efforts remain underway, with 41 bodies retrieved from the wreckage as of Saturday afternoon.

For many in Washington, the crash evoked memories of past aviation disasters, raising fresh concerns about air traffic management in the nation’s capital.

“This is a tragedy for the families involved and for the entire country,” said Senator Mark Warner of Virginia. “We need answers, and we need to ensure our skies remain safe.”

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