Likely no survivors in Washington plane crash as 28 bodies recovered, fire chief says

American Airlines passenger jet that crashed into US Army helicopter is confirmed to have been carrying figure skaters and coaches

Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river near Washington, DC, on January 30, 2025. (Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river near Washington, DC, on January 30, 2025. (Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

There are likely no survivors from a collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and US Army helicopter in Washington DC, officials said Thursday, as recovery operations pulled 28 bodies from the river into which both crashed.

“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors,” Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly told a news conference at Reagan National Airport, outside the US capital. “We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”

Donnelly said 27 bodies were recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter.

He added that conditions were cold and windy, making the operation “extremely rough” for responders.

“At these frigid water temperatures, the human body’s core temperature quickly drops. Exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in as little as 15 to 30 minutes,” AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said.

The plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided midair with a military helicopter as it was approaching Reagan National Airport in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, plunging into the freezing river.

Washington DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly, speaks during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, January 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The helicopter, on a training flight, was carrying three soldiers, a US official said.

There were no details on the cause of the crash, with transport officials saying both aircraft were on standard flight patterns on a clear night with good visibility.

“Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the news conference.

Plane was carrying figure skating athletes, coaches

The close-knit world of figure skating was in mourning on Thursday as the passenger jet was revealed to have been carrying figure skating athletes and coaches, including former Russian world pairs champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Several members of the US figure skating community were also passengers, the sport’s national governing body confirmed.

They had been taking part in a training camp for top juniors that was held after the US championships, which took place in Wichita, Kansas, over the weekend.

Rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river outside Washington, DC, January 30, 2025.(ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

“US Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard,” the national governing body said in a statement.

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”

Authorities in the US have not confirmed the identities of any of the victims but Russia’s state TASS and RIA news agencies cited anonymous sources as saying that Shishkova and Naumov were on board, as well as Inna Volyanskaya, a former pair skater who competed for the Soviet Union.

“The International Skating Union (ISU) and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident,” the sport’s world governing body said in a statement. “We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood to be among those on board.”

The union added that its “thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

“Figure skating is more than a sport. It’s a close-knit family and we stand together. We remain in close contact with US Figure Skating and offer our full support during this incredibly difficult time.”

A boat works the scene near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, competed at six world championships between 1991 to 1996, winning gold, silver and bronze medals.

Born in Saint Petersburg, the couple, who married in 1995, were known for their highly classical skating style.

They ended their careers after failing to qualify for the Nagano Olympic Games in 1998.

After becoming professionals, they moved to the United States to become coaches, first in Connecticut then in Boston since 2017.

Their 23-year-old son Maxim Naumov, the US junior champion in 2020, had recently placed fourth in the US national championships in Kansas. It is not known whether he was onboard.

In 1961, 18 members of the US figure skating team died in a plane crash while traveling to Prague for the World Championships.

Maxim Naumov of the United States competes during the men’s short program at the Skate America figure skating event in Allen, Texas, October 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Retracing last moments before collision

The American Eagle Flight 5342 that crashed on Wednesday evening was operated by PSA Airlines, an Ohio-based regional subsidiary of American Airlines. The plane was a CRJ-700, the airline said, from a line of regional jets made by Canada’s Bombardier, later sold to Mitsubishi.

Air traffic control recordings appear to capture the final attempted communications with the helicopter, call sign PAT25, before it collided with the CRJ jet.

“PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,” an air traffic controller said at 8:47 p.m. (0147 GMT), according to a recording on liveatc.net.

Seconds later, another aircraft called in to air traffic control, saying, “Tower, did you see that?” — apparently referring to the crash. An air traffic controller then redirected planes heading to runway 33 to go around.

Webcam video of the crash showed the collision and an explosion lighting up the night sky.

“I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river,” an air traffic controller was heard saying over the radio.

Most Popular
read more: