A tragic midair collision near Reagan National Airport between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter led to both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. The American Airlines flight, carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, collided with the Black Hawk, which had 3 soldiers onboard, during a training mission. The crash resulted in fatalities, and no survivors had been found at the time. Air traffic control audio captured crucial moments before the crash, including a conversation between the controller and the helicopter crew. The controller’s reaction after the collision highlighted the seriousness of the situation, while other pilots reported seeing flares. The incident caused major disruptions at the airport, with flights being diverted and operations suspended. Recovery efforts have been challenging due to the river’s depth, cold temperatures, and strong currents. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.