Crews have started the difficult task of recovering the wreckage from the Potomac River after a tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military Black Hawk helicopter. The crash happened near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last week, and the bodies of victims are being recovered from the icy water. The operation began early Monday, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leading the recovery.
A crane on a barge was used to lift parts of the wreckage, including the engine and the fuselage of the airplane, from the water. By noon, one engine and the plane’s crumpled body were removed. Later in the afternoon, the crew began lifting a wing from the water. These pieces were transferred to a trailer, where they will be sent to a hangar for investigation. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are working to understand what caused the crash, the deadliest in the U.S. in 16 years.
The crash took the lives of 64 passengers and crew on the airplane, and three crew members from the Black Hawk helicopter. So far, at least 55 victims have been identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Recovery efforts will continue, and the goal is to raise the plane’s cockpit from the river on Tuesday.
As the salvage work progresses, any remains found in the wreckage are carefully removed and sent for identification. The recovery operation is a delicate process, and when remains are discovered, the work is paused until proper coordination with authorities can be made. Teams have been preparing for this operation since Friday, surveying the wreckage and planning the best way to remove large pieces.
The recovery is a difficult and emotional task for all involved, especially for the families of the victims, who have been visiting the riverbanks to pay their respects. Among those killed were a civil rights lawyer, a professor, and several champion figure skaters. Fire Chief John Donnelly said that the families are strong and focused on bringing their loved ones back.
The recovery teams are working with multiple agencies, including the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, and they are also preparing for more remains to be found. They are asking the public to report any debris they come across to help with the search. The entire operation is challenging, but the focus remains on the respectful recovery of the victims.
