American Airlines Plane Crashes in Potomac River
A devastating plane crash occurred on January 30, 2025, in Washington D.C., resulting in the loss of 67 lives, with an American Airlines plane colliding with a US military helicopter near Reagan National Airport, prompting an investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
The crash bears a haunting resemblance to a similar incident in 1982, when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River, killing 78 people. The 2025 incident involved a Boeing 737-200 that struggled to gain altitude before crashing into the river, claiming the lives of all 64 people on board, including three soldiers on a training flight.
Samuel "Sam" Lilley, a 28-year-old pilot from Georgia, was one of the victims of the crash, which has left his family and the nation in shock. Lilley's father, Timothy, a former Army helicopter pilot, believes that the military helicopter made a tragic error, turning into the commercial jet and causing the collision. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the incident.
The crash has raised concerns about air traffic control staffing, as it has been revealed that one air traffic controller was handling both helicopters and planes at the time of the incident. The plane was carrying figure skaters, their family members, and coaches, including several from U.S. Figure Skating, adding to the tragedy of the incident. First responders have switched from a rescue operation to a recovery operation, with 28 bodies recovered so far.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the nation mourns the loss of life and seeks answers to the questions surrounding this tragic incident. The recovery of one black box has provided a crucial lead in determining the cause of the crash, and authorities are working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the collision.
