First Lady Melania Trump joins the nation in mourning the catastrophic collision near Reagan National Airport.

According to Daily Wire, a devastating mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River on Wednesday night has resulted in no survivors, prompting statements from top officials, including First Lady Melania Trump.

The tragic incident unfolded around 8:48 p.m. when the passenger plane from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Emergency responders have already recovered 27 bodies from the commercial aircraft carrying 64 passengers and one body from the military helicopter.

Major recovery operation unfolds at Potomac crash site

A massive emergency response involving 300 personnel from multiple agencies immediately mobilized following the crash. Local fire departments, police units, Department of Defense teams, Coast Guard personnel, and FBI agents converged on the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.

D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly delivered the somber news Thursday morning that rescue efforts were transitioning to recovery operations. The grim announcement came after an exhaustive overnight search yielded no signs of survivors from either aircraft.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that investigators had located both aircraft fuselages in three different areas. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched comprehensive investigations into the cause of the collision.

Top officials express grief and promise thorough investigation

First Lady Melania Trump shared her condolences through her official X account, stating:

My heart goes out to those impacted by last night's terrible tragedy. I pray for those who so sadly lost their lives, their families & loved ones, & the first responders who have worked tirelessly through the night. May they find strength and solace in this difficult time.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom revealed preliminary findings suggesting the military helicopter had veered into the commercial flight's designated path. At a press conference, he expressed profound sorrow over the incident.

President Donald Trump assured the public of his direct involvement in monitoring the situation. He acknowledged receiving comprehensive briefings about the accident and praised the dedication of first responders working at the crash site.

Investigation reveals complex crash dynamics

Transportation officials have begun piecing together the sequence of events leading to the collision. The American Eagle regional jet's final approach was interrupted when the Black Hawk helicopter intersected its flight path.

The impact scattered debris across multiple locations in the Potomac River. Search teams have identified three primary crash sites containing significant portions of both aircraft's fuselages.

Secretary Duffy emphasized the investigation's paramount importance in preventing future tragedies. He assured the public that air travel remains safe while promising a thorough examination of all factors contributing to the accident.

Officials pledge commitment to finding answers

Transportation Secretary Duffy addressed public concerns about aviation safety during an emergency press briefing. He emphasized the agencies' determination to uncover all details surrounding the incident.

American Airlines leadership has taken an active role in the investigation process. CEO Isom's emotional response reflected the airline industry's collective shock at the unprecedented nature of the collision.

The investigation teams face the complex task of analyzing multiple crash sites while coordinating with various federal and local agencies. Their findings will be crucial in implementing measures to prevent similar incidents.

Critical incident overview and next steps

The collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport claimed 65 lives on Wednesday night. The unprecedented crash involved a commercial airliner from Wichita and a military helicopter operating in the DC airspace.

Multiple federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA, are conducting thorough investigations into the cause of the collision.

The recovery operation continues as authorities work to retrieve the remaining victims while examining debris scattered across three locations in the Potomac River to determine the exact sequence of events leading to this catastrophic accident.