Following this week's tragic midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, the recovery efforts in the Potomac River have resulted in the discovery of over 40 bodies, according to a law enforcement official.
The American Airlines jet had arrived from Wichita, Kansas, carrying a diverse group of passengers, including elite young figure skaters, their parents and coaches, as well as four union steamfitters from the Washington area. The flight conditions were reported to be clear at the time of the collision.
A top Army aviation official emphasized the experience and familiarity of the Black Hawk helicopter crew with the congested flying conditions around the city. The official stated that both pilots had previously flown the specific route, including night flights, indicating that the circumstances of the collision were not new to them.
