The fuselage of the CRJ-700 operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 needs to be removed in order for all victims of the Jan. 29 air crash to be recovered, DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said at a Friday press conference.
The airplane departed from Wichita, KS and was landing at Reagan National Airport (DCA) just before 9 p.m. Jan. 29 when it collided with a Skiorsky H-60 helicopter on a military training flight.
60 engers and 4 crew were aboard the CRJ-700. Three crew were aboard the H-60.
Chief Donnelly said that the team has recovered 41 sets of victim remains. 28 have so far been identified, and as of the afternoon of Jan. 31, 18 next-of-kin notices have been made.
Donnelly said he expected that all of the victims will be recovered but said the weather and salvage operations may affect timelines. Asked if the team is confident they know the location of remaining victims, the Chief said “I think we know where they are; we won’t know until we’re done.”
“It couples with the question about removing the aircraft,” Donnelly later expanded. “I believe that when we remove the aircraft, that will help us resolve this number. If it doesn’t, we will continue to search.”
On Wednesday night, the rescue operation involved more than 300 personnel from all over the region. It was transitioned to a recovery operation early Thursday morning. No survivors were located.
LIVE: Update on Plane Collision https://t.co/Kg9GQ30kl2
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 31, 2025
At a Thursday morning press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the CRJ-700 was found, inverted, in three separate sections in waist-deep water.
Landing gear on helicopter were visible on the water’s surface, suggesting the helicopter was in a similar position.
At the same conference, AA CEO Robert Isom said that the accident took place during a standard approach by the aircraft and that it is unknown how the military aircraft came into the flight path of the CRJ-700. He said he knows there will be lots of questions but most will have to remain u answered at this point.
Questions about the cause of the crash and matters related to the investigation were declined by DC and DCA officials. Officials referred inquiries to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
DCA reopened at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 but is currently operating at reduced capacity due to the proximity of the crash location.
DCA VP of Airport Management Terry Liercke said Friday that two-thirds of the runways at DCA are closed. Typically, DCA sees 800 flights a day; about 100 flights were cancelled Friday, he said. Travellers should their specific airlines for more information.
Liercke was asked if he had concerns about the flight paths or traffic in and out of DCA. Congress approved 10 additional flights –-five incoming and five outgoing daily — over warnings from Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in May 2024 that too much traffic would lead to an inevitable collision.
Search teams continue operations tonight; Coast Guard assets arrive afternoon Friday. Salvage crews are on scene and trying to determine the best way to recover the aircraft, Chief Donnelly said. Aircraft are expected to be taken from the Potomac River on Saturday.
Donnelly said if you suspect you see any objects linked to the crash, you should not touch them but call 911.
Donnelly cautioned the public about fundraising schemes. He said the Greater Washington Community Foundation has established a relief fund for the families of those lost in the crash. donate.thecommunityfoundation.org/dcatogether
