ARLINGTON, Va. — On Monday, teams worked hard on the Potomac River to recover the wreckage from a plane and an Army helicopter that crashed last week. This tragic accident was the worst air disaster in the U.S. since 2001. So far, officials have found and identified 55 out of the 67 people who lost their lives in the crash, and they believe they will find everyone.
Authorities began lifting the wreckage on Monday morning. You could see workers on a boat with a crane, and more than 300 responders were helping with the recovery efforts. Two Navy barges were also sent to help lift the heavy parts of the wreckage. Rescue workers are following strict rules to make sure everything is done respectfully. If they find a body, they will stop moving debris to ensure a dignified recovery.
The collision happened near Reagan Washington National Airport when a plane operated by American Airlines, carrying 64 people, was about to land. The Army Black Hawk helicopter had three crew members on board and was doing a training mission. Tragically, there were no survivors.
On Sunday, families of the victims were taken to the riverbank, near where the two aircraft ended up. Passengers on the plane included figure skaters returning from a competition in Wichita and a group of hunters coming back from a guided trip. The helicopter crew included Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, from Lilburn, Georgia; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, from Great Mills, Maryland; and Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach from Durham, North Carolina.
Federal investigators are trying to figure out what caused the crash. These investigations typically take a long time, but they hope to share a preliminary report within 30 days. The crash last week was the worst since a plane accident in November 2001, when a jet crashed in New York City, killing 260 people.
Experts remind us that flying is generally very safe, but the busy airspace around Reagan Airport can pose challenges for even the most skilled pilots.
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Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed reporting. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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