A massive cleanup operation is underway after a tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport left 67 people dead. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working alongside the Coast Guard and Navy salvage experts, is starting the difficult task of removing the wreckage from the Potomac River.
First on the list is the jet, with crews expecting to clear its remains in about three days. Once that’s done, they’ll shift their attention to the Black Hawk helicopter, aiming to finish the job by February 12. However, the timeline depends on a few factors, like weather conditions, tides, and how smoothly they can lift and transport the debris.
While the salvage work is critical, officials are prioritizing the search for human remains. So far, teams have recovered and identified 55 victims, but poor visibility, freezing waters, and twisted metal are making the search extremely challenging. Despite the obstacles, officials are determined to bring every victim home.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reassured families that the search won’t stop until all remains are found. “We will absolutely stay here and search until such point as we have everybody,” he promised.
If more bodies are discovered during the salvage process, operations will immediately pause to ensure a respectful recovery, according to Col. Francis Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers. “The dignified recovery of missing flight passengers and personnel takes precedence,” he emphasized.
Once pulled from the river, wreckage pieces will be loaded onto trailers and taken to a special hangar controlled by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Investigators will analyze every fragment to determine exactly what went wrong.
As recovery efforts continue, the Coast Guard has set up a restricted zone north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, keeping all unauthorized boats out of the area.
For the families of the victims, the wait is agonizing. Donnelly, who has been meeting with them, described their strength and determination to see their loved ones returned. “These people have suffered a terrible loss,” he said.
With so much at stake, rescue teams are working around the clock, balancing the need for answers with the delicate responsibility of bringing closure to grieving families.