The entire group of 67 victims from the Potomac River has been recovered by authorities following the disastrous midair accident where a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet crashed close to Reagan National Airport. The identification process revealed 66 victims while officials continue their efforts to identify the remaining person.
The recovery process reached a critical milestone according to authorities who also expressed sincere sympathy toward bereaved families. A public message expressed sympathy to families of victims who faced this heartbreaking tragedy.
The Wednesday night aircraft accident united American Airlines Flight 5342 traveling from Wichita Kansas with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. Research from the National Transportation Safety Board indicates that the descending Black Hawk exceeded its approved altitude limit of 200 feet by flying up to 300 feet prior to the crash. The last radio-transmitted altitude reading for the passenger jet was set to 375 feet. 
Flights 5342 transported 64 commercial passengers back from competition with their coaches and their relative circle. U.S. Figure Skating strongly mourned for the victims they termed “world-class athletes” alongside “valued members” of their skating family.
The evaluation process continues for the data extracts from both planes’ black boxes after their recovery. The investigators have excluded weather as a cause in their investigation while they analyze air traffic control procedures. Evidence shows that a single controller operated airplane and helicopter traffic during that evening shift while managing both aircraft systems.
Authority members now work on wreckage removal activities even though the skating community and bereaved families remain in constant mourning over this devastating event.
