Tragic Collision Over DC: Army Black Hawk Helicopter and Passenger Plane Crash, No Survivors Expected
Crew chief Ryan O'Hara and pilot Andrew Eaves identified as victims of deadly midair collision involving an Army Black Hawk and American Airlines flight in D.C.; no survivors.
WASHINGTON D.C. – A devastating midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport has claimed the lives of all involved, including the crew of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and the passengers aboard an American Airlines regional flight. Authorities have confirmed that there are no survivors.
The collision occurred on the evening of January 29, 2025, around 9:00 PM local time. The Black Hawk, which was on a routine annual training mission with three soldiers onboard, collided with an American Airlines flight carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The crash led to the wreckage falling into the Potomac River, sparking an immediate response from emergency teams.
The victims aboard the helicopter have been identified, including Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, a pilot from Mississippi, and Ryan O’Hara, a crew chief from Georgia. Eaves’s wife confirmed his death, and Governor Tate Reeves expressed condolences, sharing that Mississippi was mourning the loss. O’Hara was remembered fondly by his community, leaving behind a wife and young child.
The flight crew aboard the American Airlines flight also suffered fatal injuries. Among them was co-pilot Sam Lilley, who was identified by his family. The tragedy has struck hard in both the military and civilian communities, with local officials offering their condolences.
At a press conference Thursday morning, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter. Search efforts have transitioned from rescue to recovery, and authorities have stated there are no indications of survivors.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy vowed to uncover the details of this horrific event, asserting that the collision was entirely preventable, as both aircraft were operating under standard flight patterns on a clear night.
This heart-wrenching tragedy has left the community in shock, with officials, first responders, and families of the victims grieving the loss of these lives.
