One Victim Awaiting Positive Identification from Medical Examiners

A team of over 100 officials has spent over a week searching the Potomac River and has managed to recover all 67 victims from the fatal mid-air collision. 66 of the bodies have been positively identified and 10 have been returned to loved ones.

"This marks a significant step in bringing closure to the impacted families and community… While all victims have been identified, salvage operations will continue with a strict commitment to the dignified recovery of any additional remains," stated an official press release from Unified Command.

The accident occurred off the approach end of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) runway 33 on January 29. American Eagle flight 5342, taken on a Bombardier CRJ-701 was en route to DC from Wichita, Kansas (ICT). A US Army Black Hawk helicopter, callsign PAT 25, had been instructed by air traffic controllers to pass behind and maintain visual separation from the airliner.

However, just before 9:00 pm, PAT 25 crashed into the side of AA5342. Both aircraft were sent from around 300 ft above the ground into the Potomac River below. The 64 jet occupants and the 3 soldiers on the Black Hawk were confirmed dead.

The remains of 41 victims had been recovered by January 31. On February 2, this number rose to 55. Crews began to pull wreckage from the river a day later. On February 4, authorities announced that all 67 victims had been recovered and that 66 received positive identification. As of February 5, officials were still waiting on the final victim’s test results.

Ten victim’s remains have been returned to loved ones so far, one being 53-year-old father and American Airlines flight attendant Ian Epstein. The aircraft carrying Epstein’s body was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute at his home airport, Charlotte Douglas International (CLT).

While crash wreckage is still steadily being pulled from the site, authorities have already begun piecing together evidence from the aircraft’s black boxes. NTSB investigators are currently reviewing data from the flight data and cockpit audio recorders to use in the preliminary and final reports.

"Our hearts are with the victims’ families as they navigate this tragic loss," Unified Commands continued. "We extend our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time."

FMI: www.centcom.mil