US plane crash: No survivors expected

Twenty-eight bodies have been retrieved from the Potomac River, with emergency services assuring families that all victims will be recovered.

Following the collision of an American Airlines plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, fire and emergency medical services have recovered 28 bodies from the icy river, according to Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly.

Chief Donnelly confirmed the shift from rescue to recovery efforts, stating that crews are working to return the remains to their families.

“We believe there are no survivors from this accident; we have recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter,” Donnelly stated.

First responders faced “extremely frigid conditions, heavy winds, and ice on the water,” working throughout the night, according to Donnelly.

Families have received assurances that all remains from Wednesday night’s crash will be recovered. A total of 67 fatalities are believed to have occurred – 64 from the passenger plane and three from the helicopter.

“I am confident we will recover all remains, but it will take time and may require additional resources,” Donnelly said, noting the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the subsequent investigation.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the crash “absolutely preventable.”

“We await full details, but based on what I’ve seen, I believe this was preventable,” Duffy said.

He noted the Black Hawk was on a training mission but emphasized that this doesn’t indicate pilot inexperience.