Recovery efforts for the wreckage of the American Airlines jet that crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with an Army Black Hawk helicopter began Monday morning.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly announced that divers spent the weekend searching the submerged debris for more remains. So far, authorities have recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people who lost their lives in the crash, with 12 victims still unaccounted for.
Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers emphasized that divers and salvage crews are following strict protocols, halting wreckage removal whenever a body is found.
“Reuniting those lost in this tragic incident is really what keeps us all going,” Pera said, according to the Associated Press. “We’ve got teams that have been working this effort since the beginning, and we’re committed to making this happen.”
On Sunday, families of the victims—who perished in the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001—visited the crash site. They were taken by bus to the Potomac River bank, near where both aircraft came to rest following the midair collision.
The American Airlines jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport when it struck the Army helicopter, which was on a training mission. There were no survivors.
Federal investigators are still working to determine the sequence of events that led to the tragic collision.
President Donald Trump said of the crash late Wednesday evening, “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
He added, “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
