**Tragedy Strikes as Plane and Helicopter Collide in D.C.**

**An investigation is underway as the country mourns the loss of lives in the first fatal incident involving a major U.S. airline in over a decade.**

In a devastating incident near Washington, D.C., all 67 individuals on board an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter died following a mid-air collision over the Potomac River, just three miles from the White House. Rescue teams have recovered approximately two dozen bodies from the frigid waters of the river amid ongoing recovery efforts. This tragic event marks the first fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline in more than 15 years.

The collision occurred on Wednesday evening under clear skies, with both aircraft reportedly following standard flight paths. Just minutes before the crash, the helicopter crew informed air traffic control they had visual contact with the jet. Eyewitness footage captured the horrifying moment when the two aircraft collided.

An internal report indicated irregularities in the staffing levels at the air traffic control tower during the time, suggesting the air traffic controller may have been managing responsibilities typically assigned to two personnel. However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that communication protocols appeared to be adhered to during the incident.

Among the deceased were a group of friends returning from a duck hunting trip in Kansas and over a dozen figure skaters, including two world champions from Russia. As the nation mourns this tragedy, political figures, including President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have posited that diversity initiatives may have contributed to the crash, though Trump offered no substantive evidence to support the claim, relying instead on “common sense.”

The investigation continues as officials seek to uncover the precise circumstances leading to this loss of life, while the nation reflects on the impact of this tragedy.