Recovery efforts ongoing after deadly midair collision near D.C.

Recovery efforts are continuing following a mid-air crash in Washington D.C. Wednesday night. An American Airlines Regional jet traveling from Wichita, Kansas was preparing to land when it collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board, and three soldiers were on the plane. Officials believe that there were no survivors in the crash.

President Donald Trump called for national unity and observed a moment of silence Thursday before speculating that President Joe Biden’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies may have played a role in the crash over the Potomac River. Democrats and some Republicans criticized Trump’s remarks, saying that now is the time for a thorough investigation rather than political finger-pointing.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and said Tuesday afternoon that the black boxes from both aircraft had not yet been recovered but were believed to be in the water. Officials say they are confident that the flight recorders would be retrieved and stated a preliminary report with probable cause could be released within 30 days.

During a White House briefing, Trump was asked whether Americans should be concerned about flying in light of the incident.

“No, not at all. I’d not hesitate to fly,” Trump said. "This is something that it's been many years that something like this has happened, and the collision is just something that we don't expect ever to happen again.

Congress is also expected to play a role in the aftermath. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that "Congress and the House Appropriations Committee will closely coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board."

The U.S. Figure Skating Association confirmed that members of its team were among those on board. The D.C. Medical Examiner’s Office is leading the formal identification process as recovery efforts continue in the Potomac River.