Authorities have yet to determine why a regional jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people in the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over 20 years. The American Airlines Bombardier jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter. Victims included several young figure skaters and passengers from Kansas.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation but has not yet recovered the flight recorders. Officials confirmed both aircraft were following standard flight patterns with no reported communication breakdowns. Radio transmissions show air traffic controllers warning the helicopter to change course. A reported shortage of controllers has raised concerns about staffing levels at Reagan National, a high-traffic airport with a history of near-miss incidents.

President Donald Trump offered a moment of silence for the victims of the crash.

President Donald Trump, without evidence, linked the crash to federal diversity policies, drawing backlash from rights groups. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and military officials have emphasized that no immediate cause has been identified. Air traffic control recordings captured the moment of impact, with a fireball lighting up the night sky before the jet plunged into the river. The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report within 30 days.