Minnesota native aboard deadly DC plane crash
DC plane crash: Minnesota native among victims
A mid-air collision between an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter killed 67 people, one of the being a Minnesota native.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 9) - Recovery efforts remain underway on the Potomac River late into Thursday evening. Nearly half of the 67 victims have been recovered. Investigators and officials emphasized recovery of the victims is the priority.
Deadly mid-air collision leaves no survivors
What we know:
Authorities said an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas was on its final approach into Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening when it collided mid-air with an army helicopter. Both plunged into the Potomac River.
Hundreds of first responders worked through the night in dark and icy waters.
President Donald Trump addressed a nation in mourning. The crash is believed to have killed all 67 people aboard. Sixty passengers and four crew members, a total of 64 people were on the American Airlines flight, and three soldiers were in the military helicopter.
"Sadly, there are no survivors. This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history," said President Trump.
Remembering the victims
Local perspective:
We are learning more about some of those aboard. According to a verified GoFundMe and social media posts by loved ones, Minnesota native, Wendy Jo Shaffer, was aboard the American Airlines flight. Her friends describe her as a "radiant soul" who leaves behind two sons and a husband.
Community mourning:
The figure skating community is also mourning. The Skating Club of Boston said several of the passengers were their very own, including athletes, family, and coaches. They remembered lives taken too soon.
What's next:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. The agency intends to deliver a preliminary report of findings within 30 days. Investigators are examining all human, machine, and environmental factors.
Investigators did acknowledge there are a lot of questions circulating, but said it is too early to speculate on probable cause at this time.