Washington, D.C., Feb. 1, 2025 — A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial passenger jet collided midair over the Potomac River late Friday night, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft, officials said.
The crash, which occurred shortly after the passenger jet departed from Reagan National Airport, has prompted a federal investigation into air traffic control operations and flight coordination in restricted airspace.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday that it is reviewing preliminary data and interviewing air traffic controllers to determine whether staffing shortages at the airport may have contributed to the accident. At the time of the crash, Reagan National had 19 controllers on duty—fewer than the recommended 30.
The Black Hawk was reportedly conducting a military drill related to continuity-of-government operations, a classified initiative designed to ensure the safe relocation of top officials in national emergencies. The identities of the three soldiers aboard the helicopter have not been publicly disclosed.
Authorities have begun recovery efforts, with 41 bodies retrieved from the river as of Saturday afternoon.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not released additional details about the commercial aircraft involved, including whether the pilots were in communication with air traffic control in the moments before the crash.
The NTSB said it expects to release an initial report within the next two weeks.