A collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near D.C.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday an American Airlines jet carrying sixty passengers and four crew members collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter. The jet was headed for the Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C. and after the collision, the jet landed in the Potomac River where remains are still being pulled from the water.

The body of the plane was found upside-down in pieces in waist-deep water, officials said. The helicopter’s wreckage was also found in the river.

Authorities have conducted a massive search-and-rescue operation that turned into a recovery mission through the night and into Thursday. The bodies of the three US military members have been recovered. The bodies of passengers are still being searched for and recovered.

Around 300 first responders were at the scene. Inflatable boats were scanning the river and first responders set up lights along the shore to illuminate the area surrounding the crash. Helicopters from law enforcement agencies throughout the DC area were used to search for bodies.

Some of the passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

In a briefing on Thursday morning, President Trump placed blame on DEI, Democrats, Air Traffic control, as well as the member of the US military who was flying the Black Hawk helicopter. When asked if he was getting ahead of the investigation before knowing the names of the victims, Trump responded “You think that’s going to make a difference.”

This tragic aviation accident is likely the be the worst U.S. aviation disaster in almost a quarter century with a death count that is believed to be at 67. The names of the 67 individuals killed are still unknown and officials believe there there were no survivors.

The investigation is currently underway as officials are looking into the cause of the collision.

Hannah Neurohr is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email hmn5264@psu.edu.