Chicago February 1, 2025
Search teams have recovered 41 bodies from the Potomac River after a tragic crash between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter killed 67 people, marking the worst aviation disaster in over 20 years. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman said Friday that the helicopter’s black box has been found and is in good condition, while the airplane’s two black boxes were secured earlier. All the recorders are now being analyzed.
Washington fire chief John Donnelly confirmed that 28 victims have been identified, and 18 families have been notified. He said they are working hard to recover the remaining bodies but didn’t know how long it would take. Crews hope to get better equipment by Saturday to help remove the wreckage from the river.
The Army identified two soldiers from the Black Hawk helicopter as Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, from Georgia, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, from Maryland. The name of a third soldier has not been released yet. Among the other victims were a pilot preparing for his wedding, a college student, a lawyer celebrating her birthday, figure skaters, and two Chinese citizens.
