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Aviation Disaster: Fatal Collision Between American Airlines and Military Helicopter
A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Regrettably, all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft perished in the accident.
The collision took place around 9 p.m., leading to the grounding of all flights at Reagan National Airport. Emergency response teams, including DC Fire and EMS, were promptly dispatched to the scene, focusing their efforts on the Potomac River area near the airport.
Among the victims was 28-year-old pilot Sam Lilley, who had ties to Georgia.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports suggest that the American Airlines flight was en route from Kansas when the incident occurred.
This tragedy has prompted discussions about aviation safety protocols and the coordination between civilian and military air operations. Authorities are urging witnesses or individuals with relevant information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
For a visual account of the incident, you can view the following video: