A tragic plane crash has occurred in Washington, D.C.

The plane American Eagle, Flight 5342, collided mid-air with an Army helicopter (Sikorsky H-60). The crash took place close to the Reagan Washington National Airport at around 9pm Eastern Time. Both vehicles landed in the freezing cold Potomac River.

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter had 3 crew members. Passengers on the plane included figure skaters from Russia and the United States, with their coaches and families. Some passengers included the couple, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, who had won the World Championships in 1994. Spencer Lane was also a passenger; he was 16 and was known for his outstanding talent. The helicopter carried 3 soldiers that were said to all be highly experienced.

This tragedy has no true explanation, but we do have some information. Recordings of air traffic control revealed that the helicopter driver was warned about a plane being in the area. It was also found that they had confirmed they were aware of the plane.

This accident left the plane in pieces and the helicopter upside down in the river. There wasn’t a chance of any survivors, and recently it was recorded there unfortunately weren’t any. 27 bodies were recovered from the plane and 1 from the helicopter.

Eyewitnesses recalled the plane looking like a Roman candle and a big white flare.

The skating community mourns this loss, with 6 of the 60 passengers being ice skaters or the parents of ice skaters. A skating coach made his students practice without music to give respect to the ones who passed.

This accident was a loss for the whole country; this crash has been devastating, titled as the deadliest plane crash since 9/11.