Significant progress was made in the recovery efforts following the tragic collision over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The Unified Command announced yesterday that all major components of the aircraft had been retrieved from the river. The joint effort included the US Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, and Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, who are now set to clear out remaining smaller debris with salvage baskets, aiming to completely demobilize their equipment by February 16, as stated in a report released on the Metropolitan Police Department’s website.
Search operations continue in the vicinity of the crash site, spearheaded by the DC Metropolitan Police Department and DC Fire and EMS. Assisting them are various fire and police departments from the National Capital Region. To further aid these search efforts, NOAA is scheduled to conduct a low-altitude LiDAR scan over the area today. According to the police report, the use of a visible green laser is safe for eyes; however, the public is advised to not directly look at it.
As the incident’s Joint Information Center was demobilized yesterday, future updates will be disseminated by the Unified Command PIO via email. Direct media inquiries should be directed to specific agencies: for DC entities, to [email protected]; for the Coast Guard, to [email protected] or by phone at (202) 643-2763; and for the Army Corps of Engineers, via email at [email protected]. The NTSB will continue to provide updates on X, with their handle @NTSB_Newsroom.
The Unified Command has expressed gratitude for the support and generosity exhibited by local, regional, and federal partners, as well as the community's cooperation. The public is reminded to report any related findings to 911 and refrain from touching or removing items. Contributing to the statement, the Unified Command has emphasized the ongoing closure of the Potomac River north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to all watercraft until further announcements are made.
