A Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane collided within minutes of the chopper being instructed by air traffic control to “pass behind” the aircraft.
Flights are once again taking off and landing at Reagan Washington National Airport as things get back to normal amid an anything-but-normal situation.
Officials said around 28 bodies were recovered from the jet, which was carrying 64 people, and one was pulled from the helicopter, which had three soldiers onboard. Crews fear there are no survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.
The regional passenger jet was en route from Kansas before crashing into the military helicopter, sending both aircraft into the icy Potomac River near Washington, D.C.
American Airlines plane takes off
Jan. 29, 6:39 p.m.: American Airlines Flight 5342 departed Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas.
It is currently unknown when the helicopter took off as part of a training flight. According to the U.S. Army, the chopper was from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Air traffic control communication
Jan. 29, 8:47 p.m.: Air traffic controllers tell the Army helicopter to “pass behind” the American Airlines plane.
Moment of the crash
Jan. 29, 8:48 p.m.: Flight 5342 collides with the helicopter over the Potomac River.
As the crash occurred, there was audio of the emergency recording with air traffic control where the operator reported the collision.
A Blackhawk helicopter flies low over the trees above a landing zone during an event. (Norbert Voskens/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Search for victims
Jan. 30, 7 a.m.: D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said during a news conference Thursday that he’s confident all of the bodies from the crash will ultimately be recovered.
Victims included Loudon County students, U.S. and Russian figure skaters and D.C.-area steamfitters, among others.
People who believe they have family members on the flights and are looking for further information are asked to call 800-697-8215.
Reagan Airport shuts down, opens again Thursday
Jan. 30, 11 a.m.: The midair crash shut down Reagan Airport until late Thursday morning, with the first flight departing at 11:01 a.m. local time en route to Nashville.
