Passenger Jet Adjusted Course Moments Before D.C. Air Disaster

Days after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 officials are working to investigate details that led to the deadly impact. The latest data obtained by the NTSB shows that the passenger plane changed its flight path to shit to an upward pitch mere seconds before colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission. 

Crews have recently pulled out large sections of the plane wreckage from the Potomac in what was the deadliest U.S. air disaster since November 2001. On February 3, 2025, the aft fuselage, right engine, and right pylon were recovered from the scene. Among the crews are the U.S. Army Corps, including Colonel Frank Pera. 

Pera recently briefed the media, stating that while large sections of the airliner have been recovered, removing the wreckage of the Black Hawk helicopter and more will continue for several more days. “The level of coordination both behind the scenes and out on the Potomac is exceptional,” added Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera “We have not and will not lose focus of what is most important — the safety of our crews and accounting for those still missing to bring closure to their families and loved ones."

It has been reported that 67 people lost their lives in this terrible accident. In the recovery effort, 55 bodies have been identified from the scene. This number is up from 41 that were recovered and identified over the weekend. Moving the plane out of the water has helped to find more of the remaining bodies and bring closure to the families of those involved in the crash.