Black Hawk Pilot From DC Crash Has Been Identified

A catastrophic mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter has left at least 67 people dead, shocking the nation.

Fatal plane incident explained.

The collision occurred just before 9 PM on Wednesday evening, with both aircraft plummeting into the icy waters of the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.

Witnesses describe the moment the two planes collided as a massive fireball lit up the night sky, signaling the tragic end of the doomed flight.

The American Airlines regional jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the Army Black Hawk helicopter had three military personnel aboard.

The wreckage of both aircraft was found scattered across the Potomac River, and emergency workers began the grim task of recovering bodies from the river’s murky depths.

The Black Hawk pilot from the DC crash has been identified.

On Wednesday evening (29 January 2025), a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers crashed mid-air with a commercial plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew.

Flight 5342, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet running for American Airlines and traveling from Wichita, Kan, hit the chopper at around 9pm while heading towards Runway 33 at Washington airport.

Heartbroken Carrie Eaves revealed her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Andrew Eaves was one of three soldiers on board.

‘I am sure by now all of you have heard the news of the tragedy that has occurred in DC.’ she shared alongside photos of her husband.

‘My husband was one of the pilots in the Blackhawk. We ask that you pray for our family and friends and for all the other families that are suffering today. We ask for peace while we grieve.’

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves shared on X: ‘Mississippi is mourning the loss of Brooksville native Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, who was killed in last night’s accident at Reagan National Airport.

Ryan O’Hara was also named as the crew chief on board. The 28-year-old father of one from Georgia has left behind a one-year-old son and his wife.

His father Gary, shared with the Washington Post:  ‘I just had a gut feeling when I saw the story breaking.’

About 10am Thursday, two Army officials knocked on his door to deliver the horrific news.

‘As a parent, how do you take the news like this and not be totally broken?’ he asked.

‘His mother and I and his sister are just absolutely devastated to think we were talking to him just yesterday and we’ll never have the opportunity to talk with him again.’

Retired Army Chief, Jonathan Koziol shared with ABC News that the three onboard were ‘very experienced’ and that O’Hara and Eaves had ‘more than 1,000 hours of flight time.’

‘Both pilots had flown this specific route before at night — this wasn’t something new to either one of them,’ he said.

‘These are our top pilots doing this National Capital Region.’

The other pilot on board, an unidentified female, had clocked in over 500 hours of flying time, according to Koziol.

On January 30, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.

“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

Audio, obtained by CBS, has now been revealed from moments before the crash occurred. “The accident happened in the river,” an official said, “Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.”

A controller said moments after witnessing the crash: “It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river,” they said. “But It was a CR-J and a helicopter that hit, I would say a half-mile of the approach.”

Another pilot also said:  ‘we saw flares from the opposite side of the Potomac’ after seeing the crash, while an approach controller added: “Apparently both aircraft involved are in the river, a search and rescue will be ongoing.”

It was reported that the AA plane split in half and is seven feet underwater in the Potomac River. Rescue teams are currently looking for survivors. At least 18 bodies have reportedly been recovered from the water.

“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir during a training flight,” said an Army spokesperson.

“We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”

American Airlines shared the following statement: “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the US can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly,”.

President Trump shared a statement on Wednesday night: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which 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.”

Sharing to Truth Social, Trump said:
“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: “What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!”

Heartbreaking, RIP.