Families of the 67 people who died in a mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., gathered on Wednesday evening to mark the first anniversary of the disaster, one day after investigators testified about years of ignored warnings and near-misses. The ceremony took place at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, with speeches, music and tributes to those who lost their lives.
The victims died on 29 January 2025 when an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport and plunged into the icy Potomac River. The crash was the deadliest on U.S. soil since 2001. Everyone aboard both aircraft, including 28 figure skaters, was killed.
Doug Lane, whose wife Christine Conrad Lane, 49, and son Spencer Lane, 16, perished in the crash, told the audience: "While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other. So that's what we did, and that's what we've done ever since." The ceremony included performances by country music stars, the D.C. Fire Department Emerald Society's pipes and drums band, and a firefighter who had been at the scene on the night of the crash.
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced that a memorial plaque would be established on the Potomac River. First responders who rushed to the scene, many of whom entered the freezing water, were honoured with medals. Matt Collins, brother of passenger Chris Collins, 42, said: "While this has been my family's worst year, the same is true of many of the first responders who responded on the scene. We recognise the toll this has taken on you, and tonight is our opportunity to say thank you."
At the National Transportation Safety Board hearing on Tuesday, investigators concluded there was no single cause for the crash, which board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called "100% preventable." The NTSB issued recommendations, including a bill requiring advanced locator systems to prevent collisions. Republican Senator Ted Cruz said at the memorial that the bill was close to final passage. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy praised the families, saying: "You had choices, and you chose to pay it forward." Rachel Feres, cousin of passenger Peter Livingston, said: "Honouring the 67 means more than remembering who they were. It means allowing their lives and our love for them to shape what we choose to do going forward."
