An Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening, U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News.
Aviation experts have warned for years about near collisions at airports around the US, citing air traffic control shortages and airspace congestion.
The married couple, won the world championships in pairs figure skating in 1994, had reportedly lived in the US since at least 1998.
President Trump announced on Thursday that the White House will release the names of the victims of the deadly accident that happened on Wednesday night in coordination with American Airlines.
United CEO Scott Kirby diminished American in comments on Wednesday. American CEO Robert Isom barely responded during American's earnings call.
US airlines had gone 16 years without a fatal crash until Wednesday night. But as impressive as that safety record had been, there have been warning signs in recent years of a significant risk of a collision like the one that just killed 67 people.
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and several other U.S.-based carriers have all given investors strong forecasts for the year.
Wednesday night’s crash of an American Airlines commuter plane in Washington is one of the worst disasters for the Fort Worth-based airline in more than two decades.
"I walk here every day. I see helicopters going around. I see planes coming in like crazy. I never thought that would happen."
“While performing a training mission a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport," he said.
Wednesday night’s crash of an American Airlines commuter plane in Washington could be one of the worst disasters for the Fort Worth-based airline in more than two decades.