Two airport workers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were arrested after allegedly leaking footage of last week’s deadly plane crash. The workers, employed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), are accused of making unauthorized copies of records showing the crash between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, which tragically killed all 67 people on board. The workers now face charges of computer trespass.
Meanwhile, salvage crews are working tirelessly to recover parts of the wreckage from the crash. They have already recovered an engine and large pieces of fuselage, and are now focusing on retrieving a wing from the wreckage of the commercial airliner. Recovery efforts continue near Washington’s Reagan National Airport, where the midair collision occurred.
The American Airlines plane crashed into the Potomac River after the collision. On Monday, officials confirmed that a large section of the plane’s fuselage had been lifted from the river. As they continue the recovery efforts, more human remains have been found, but authorities have kept details private, stating only that 55 of the 67 victims have been identified since the crash on Wednesday.
The crash, involving both a commercial airliner and a military helicopter, was the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. Authorities have emphasized that the recovery operation will take several days. After completing the removal of the airplane, they plan to focus on recovering the military helicopter involved in the crash. More than 300 responders are working around the clock on the recovery operation, with two Navy barges deployed to assist in lifting heavy wreckage.
The Coast Guard is also involved in investigating the wreckage in the Potomac River. Washington, D.C. Fire Department Assistant Chief Gary Steen assured the public that they are confident all victims will be found. Strict protocols are in place for the recovery of human remains, and the process of retrieving them is prioritized. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Francis Pera emphasized the importance of conducting a “dignified recovery” and ensuring respect for the victims during this difficult process.
