Officials say the conditions of the Potomac River are complicating recovery efforts of the bodies of the 67 presumed dead in a mid-air collision between American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita and a military Black Hawk helicopter.

Here’s what the conditions were like at the time of the collision over Washington D.C., near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

John Donnelly, chief of D.C. fire and EMS said a news conference late Wednesday night that wind and ice were making water recoveries difficult.

“It’s just dangerous and hard to work in,” he said.

As of Thursday morning, 28 of the presumed 67 bodies had been recovered, according to Donnelly. Divers, boats and helicopters have assisted in the search.

The data comes from Potomac around 10 p.m. Eastern Time, soon after the crash when first responders were beginning their recovery efforts.

The water temperature in the Potomac was 33.8 degrees and the air temperature dipped down to 33 overnight at the Reagan Airport, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.

Donnelly said that pieces of ice floated on the river, endangering divers.

“The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in,” Donnelly said.

The Potomac River is 8 feet deep and between a half a mile and 1.1 miles wide near the site of the crash.

The Potomac was flowing at the time of the crash. On Wednesday night, the river had a discharge of 4,110 cubic feet per second, which is more than the Arkansas River in Wichita at the same time — 163 cubic feet per second — and less than the Missouri River in Kansas City — 18,400 cubic feet per second.

At about 8:50 p.m. on Jan. 29, airport officials made the first emergency call.

“Crash, crash, crash!” said someone with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority public safety channel captured on Broadcastify.com.

The debris landed in the Potomac River, just southeast of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

In the hours following the crash, rescue boats arrived and a boathouse along the river was designated the “casualty collection point,” according to audio feed.

Editor’s Note: In the wake of the worst aviation disaster in the United States in years, The Wichita Eagle, Kansas City Star, Charlotte Observer and other McClatchy journalists from across the country are working to tell the story of each person who lost their life in the crash. Read all of their stories here.

Before Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, world-known Olympic figure skaters turned coaches, left Wichita on the American Airlines plane that collided mid-air with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River Wednesday night, they posted a photo of their son on social media.

Maxim Naumov, 23, had medaled in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Wichita last week.

“Once again, Maxim made us all proud, getting on to the podium at Nationals after 7th place in the short,” his parents wrote. “ This beautiful and emotional performance is a result of a team work. … Maxim has earned his place in the team of 4 Continents.”

Maxim was not on the plane with his parents and other figure skaters and their families. He returned home from Wichita earlier in the week.

As the international world of figure skating grieved those who were on the plane Wednesday night, word quickly spread that Shishkova and Naumov were on board the deadly flight.

The married couple, who competed in the 1990s for Russia, won the pairs title at the 1994 World Figure Skating Championship and competed at two Olympics. The pair were coaches at The Skating Club of Boston, where they shared their passion for the sport with young skaters.

In a news conference Thursday morning in Massachusetts, Doug Zeghibe, executive director and CEO of The Skating Club of Boston, said the couple came to the club in 2017. The coaches were “very popular with families,” Zeghibe said, and had “proven success.”

“And (they) were very much a part of our building, the competitive skating program here.,” he said. “ ... It’s a major personal loss, but it’s also a loss to our skating community.”

Zeghibe confirmed during the news conference that Maxim Naumov had flown home Monday, according to the Associated Press.

On the club’s site, Naumov said he loved to “create an environment where students have fun while working hard.”

“I also believe that helping and guiding athletes through their emotional challenges, ups and downs during training and competing are (a) coach’s responsibilities.”

Naumov was an “old school coach,” Zeghibe said in the news conference in Norwood, Massachusetts. He was a good role model and loved working with kids at the club.

“He was also a firm disciplinarian,” Zeghibe said. “Not in a punishment way by any means, but in boundaries and training, and he made the kids keep to their proper standards. Very much in a Russian method.”

On the club’s website, Shishkova said she enjoyed sharing her love of figure skating with her students.

“I want all of them to have a positive experience in their skating endeavors.”

Zeghibe told reporters in Norwood, Massachusetts Thursday morning that Shishkova was incredibly tough and resilient.

“You couldn’t see (Shishkova) and not just break into a smile,” he said.

The CEO said the club sought out the couple when they were in a training camp in Connecticut.

“We sought them out,” Zeghibe said. “To build the coaching in our own program. That was a deliberate move. So we sort of stole them from Connecticut.”

The couple were in Wichita when their son, Maxim, competed during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships., according to the Associated Press.

“It’s well-known Mom was always too nervous to watch him skate,” Zeghibe said, pausing to contain his emotions. “But his dad was with him, and Dad was in the ‘kiss-and-cry’ sharing his great performance.”

On their son’s Instagram page Thursday morning, several people who posted offered Maxim comfort.

“As a parent my heart breaks for the pain you must endure,” one woman wrote on a photo of him and his parents that Maxim posted a couple of years ago wishing his mom a Happy Birthday. “I pray you are surrounded by those that love you and you have the support system you need.”

Added another: “I’m sorry for your loss, the world is thinking of you and your sweet parents.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM.

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WICHITA, KS. — There are no words to describe the loss that Wichita is bearing right now. The tight-knit, proud community is now in mourning after there were no survivors from Wednesday night's plane crash.

"Our hearts are heavy, they are also grieving," Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said.

The first major commercial airline crash in over a decade has rocked the Heartland community of Wichita.

“This is a sad day for Kansas and our nation," Mayor Wu said.

The Wichita to Washington D.C. flight was an accomplishment many in Kansas celebrated.

“It was just a year ago we started this flight, I remember being there and being so proud because we had worked for it," Mayor Wu said.

Coming off the U.S. Figure Skating national competition, the town was abuzz with pride and future Olympians.

“Even [Wednesday] I had folks tell me how wonderful these last few days were with additional individuals who came into our community," Mayor Wu said.

That pride, now turned into pain.

“We mourn with all those who have been impacted," Mayor Wu said. "This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington D.C. and Wichita forever.”

Several athletes and coaches from the U.S. Figure Skating team were on the flight that left Wednesday night. But the strength of the Heartland will shine through the sorrow.

“Our community needs to come together," Mayor Wu said.

Pain, turned into prayer.

“Tragedies like this remind us that we are one community," Mayor Wu said. "Whether a Wichitan, a Kansan, or an American, we are one community. In times of struggle we do come together, in grief and sadness to lift one another. Wichita is stronger because we are together.”

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.

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WASHINGTON —

A commuter jet and a military helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, triggering a massive emergency response, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that American Eagle Flight 5342, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, was attempting to land when it struck a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter.

The mid-air collision occurred just outside the airport, with unconfirmed reports that the aircraft may have plunged into the nearby Potomac River.

Authorities halted all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National as first responders searched for survivors in the icy waters of the Potomac.

Several bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River crash site, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the ongoing operation.

Rescue teams were searching for more than 60 people in the Potomac River after the plane crash, sources told the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit.

On Thursday morning the rescue efforts turned to recovery efforts.

Authorities believe of the 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Airlines flight, and 3 solders aboard the helicopter, there are no survivors.

Statement from American Airlines CEO Robert Isom:

"I want to brief you on a serious accident that occurred involving an American Eagle aircraft. The aircraft was operated by PSA Airlines, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines. First and most importantly, I'd like to express our deep sorrow about these events. This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, and first responders, along with their families and loved ones.

I know that there are many questions, and at this early stage, I'll not be able to answer all of them, but I do want to share the information I have at this time. American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, a CRJ-700 aircraft traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington Reagan National Airport, has been involved in an accident near Washington, DC. It appears to have collided with a military aircraft on approach. Flight 5342 was under the command of four crew members and carried 60 passengers, for a total of 64 people on board.

We are actively working with local, state, and federal authorities on emergency response efforts, and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist our passengers and their families. We're cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can.

Our cooperation is without pause, and we want to learn everything we can about today's events. That work will take time, but anything we can do now, we're doing—and right now, that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved, as well as their families.

Members of our Go Team will be on their way to Washington, DC, and I'll be heading there shortly as well. We know that many people will be concerned for the welfare of their loved ones, and we've set up a special helpline friends and family can call at 1-800-679-8215. That's 1-800-679-8215 if you believe you've had friends or family on board American Eagle Flight 5342.

We understand and appreciate that people are eager for information. Please know that we'll continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can, but anything we report must be accurate. We owe that to everyone involved. Our team of highly trained professionals will be working around the clock to support our passengers, crew, and their families however we can, and we'll update you as soon as we can."

Statements from Kansas elected officials on crash

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly:

"I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available."

U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall:

"Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare. A plane, traveling to the Nation's capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter. My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim, and that he continues to be with their families.

"There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded."

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran:

"Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved."

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu:

"Just received a call from an American Airlines spokesperson who confirmed that there was an incident involving the flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, DC. No additional information at this time but they will keep me informed with the latest. Please pray for all involved."

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids:

"Like any Kansan, I’m heartbroken and shocked and feeling a bit of devastation even though we don’t know all the facts and everything. I’m heartbroken for the families, for everyone impacted.

"This is such a tragedy. My team and I are doing everything we can to work with the investigators, with the NTSB and everyone, to make sure that we’re able to support an investigation. But first and foremost we’re going to be doing everything we can to support the families."

"A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We will provide updates as information comes in."

You can stay up to the story here.

Editor’s Note: In the wake of the worst aviation disaster in the United States in years, The Wichita Eagle, Kansas City Star, Charlotte Observer and other McClatchy journalists from across the country are working to tell the story of each person who lost their life in the crash. Read all of their stories here.

They were known as the “Ice Skating Sisters.”

Alydia and Everly Livingston, of Ashburn, Virginia, represented the Washington Figure Skating Club in D.C. and were thrilled to be attending the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita last week.

On Thursday came the devastating news that Alydia, 11, and Everly, 14, were among those who died when an American Airlines flight from Wichita to Reagan National Airport collided with an Army helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River as it was about to land.

The girls’ parents, Peter and Donna Livingston, also were on the flight, along with other skaters, parents and coaches.

The plane had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, and the helicopter was carrying three soldiers. Authorities said Thursday there were no survivors.

Alydia was the youngest skater on the flight and was a “rising ice dancer,” according to a tribute Thursday on a Facebook site called The Skating Lesson. It said she had recently teamed up with a new partner and had earned a trip to the National Development Team camp held in conjunction with the competition.

Alydia “was known for her vivacious personality and strong desire to improve on the ice — no matter the critique,” the tribute said.

Older sister Everly, it said, “was shy and reserved compared to her sister, yet came alive on the ice — becoming a sectional champion at the intermediate and juvenile levels.”

The girls’ mother, Donna, was a Comcast employee, it said, and father, Peter, was a real estate agent. They were described as being “among the most devoted parents — trying to manage raising two skaters and spending numerous nights in hotels while splitting time between New Jersey, Michigan and Virginia in recent months.”

“Donna will be remembered for her optimistic nature and Peter will be remembered for being a supportive dad who loved filming his girls anywhere and everywhere,” it said.

Alydia and Everly have a large following on social media, where their accounts are filled with photos and videos of them in competitions across the country and on various skating adventures. Their YouTube channel describes them as “sisters who love skating and often each other.”

Both girls had to deal with injuries in their young careers. Everly, also known as Evy, tore her meniscus and underwent surgery to repair it last year. She returned last fall to compete again.

“It’s hard to believe that just 19 days after being cleared to compete and 17 days since Evy’s first NQS competition her season has already ended,” said an Oct. 7 post on the girls’ Ice Skating Sisters Facebook page, adding that she’d been able to compete in Seattle, Austin and Boston. She had only a day or two between each competition to prepare for the next one, it said.

“Given at the beginning of all this we weren’t even sure she would be able to compete this year we couldn’t be more proud of how she has done,” the post said. “All three series she came in first in her group, she won the Austin Classic at the Intermediate level and finished the season with the third highest score in the country.”

Evy’s goal for this season was to make it on the National Development Team again, according to the post, “and she has punched her ticket to the Eastern Sectional getting her one step closer to that.”

She reached that goal in November.

“The season is officially over and Everly is walking away with another step in her figure skating journey with making the USFS high performance development team for the 2024-2025 season,” said a Nov. 17 post on the sisters’ Instagram page. “We are so proud of everything she overcame this season with her injury. There are truly no words.”

Alydia, whose nickname was Liddy, suffered a broken ankle two years ago, which led her to turn to ice dancing, as noted in a Sept. 7 post on the girls’ Facebook page.

“The final countdown to @u.s.solodance Nationals is on!” it said. “Couldn’t be more excited to compete against the best solo dancers in the country. This season was filled with so many highs and Alydia is walking away with so many amazing memories. She even meddled at every competition this season. Very happy she found dance after her broken ankle injury two summers ago as it’s allowed her to really play up her fun and energetic personality.”

As the search for victims continued at the crash site Thursday, condolences from around the country poured in on numerous social media sites.

“The whole family. May they be skating together in the beyond,” said one. “The loss for those that loved them is unimaginable.”

‘The girls were amazing…just like their dedicated parents!!” wrote another. “Such a heartbreaking loss to everyone who knew them.”

And one parent wrote: “Before we began our family’s ice skating journey, Everly and Lydia were such an inspiration to my girls. It’s heartbreaking to think of how much love and dedication their family poured into this sport, only to face such an unimaginable tragedy on their way home. We were left speechless and couldn’t stop crying.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family and friends.”

A Jan. 24 post on the sisters’ Facebook page — which appeared to be their final note — showed a photo of the two standing together at the rink in Wichita.

“We were born ready for this but is @usfigureskating ready for this much Livingston at Nationals?” it said.

At 9:55 a.m. Thursday, someone wrote: “You will never be forgotten.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM.

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