After the Potomac River Airborne Collision, How is D.C. Recovering?
- Talia Wissman '27
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
On January 30th an American Airlines jet coming from Wichita, Kansas and a Blackhawk military helicopter collided just outside of the Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA.
“CBS News” reported that the plane and helicopter crashed and both fell into the Potomac River. Tragically, all 60 passengers aboard the plane along with four members of the plane crew and three soldiers on the military helicopter’s crew died.
“CNN” reported that the crash took place approximately 325 feet in the air even though the helicopter had a 200-ft maximum restriction when flying in the area. Due to the word “circling” being
heard on the recording of the Air Traffic Control center, experts believe that the helicopter may have missed important information; however, no such recording was heard inside the helicopter.
Immediately following the collision, there was little hope of saving the passengers and crew. Afterword, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy placed a restriction suspending helicopters flying around the airport area. Despite efforts, a large amount of jet fuel landed in the Potomac River.
According to “CNN,” D.C Firefighters Local 36 President explained, “You know when you’re at a gas station in the summertime, and you see the vapor of the fuel coming off of the gas pump? Just picture that all across the river, just this vapor coming out of the water, everyone was just coated
with jet fuel.”
The extremely frigid temperatures of the Potomac River only furthered the difficulty of the
situation as there were great amounts of ice on the surface of the water. The morning after the collision, according to “Fox 5 D.C.,” D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser expressed, “This morning, we all share a profound sense of grief.”
Aboard the flight were 14 young, talented figure skaters coming from the 2025 National Figure Skating Developmental Camp in Wichita. Among them were children, parents and coaches. The U.S Figure Skating community remembers these talented young athletes through tributes held by skating clubs.
Charlotte Mount ’27, who knew skaters on board, said, “It’s amazing to see community support at local rinks, even from strangers, and it gives me hope that the skaters’ lives will be remembered for the amazing people they were.”
Katie Feder ’26, who also skated with victims of the crash, said, “Figure skating takes so much time and dedication, and my friends were the most hardworking people I have ever met.”
Feder further remarked, “I would see Brielle, Eddie and Cory every day for hours and Franco twice a week when he came to my rink. Figure skating isn’t a team sport, but you become very close with the people you train with. I loved them so much, and we as a rink will always honor and remember them.”
Lizzie Feder ’26 added, “The rink just isn’t the same without them. We would always support each other both at practice and competitions and help each other with school work.” Feder continued, “It feels so strange to have gone from seeing them every single day to them just being gone.”
To honor the lives lost and extend sympathies to those affected by the tragedy, Holton students observed a moment of silence as students exited the morning assembly last month.
