NTSB to discuss DC plane crash: Flight data recorders from both aircraft recovered
WASHINGTON, D.C. - An active investigation continues after the nation's deadliest aviation disaster in nearly 25 years.
The National Transportation Safety Board is set to hold a press conference on Saturday evening to discuss any updates on the investigation.
The flight data recorders from both aircraft have been recovered at this time.
At least 41 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter reportedly crossed into the path of an American Airlines jet late Wednesday. The incident occurred as the jet was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, located just outside Washington, D.C.
Federal investigators have cautioned that determining the cause of the crash could take months, and they refrained from speculating during a press briefing.
What we know about the DC plane crash
What we know:
A joint investigation by the Department of Defense and NTSB is ongoing following the crash of a CRJ700 regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
During a Friday night press conference, officials said that over 100 family members were briefed by NTSB, fire chiefs, and a family assistance unit from PSA Airlines. The Navy supervisor of salvage will bring in barges from Virginia Beach to begin significant lifting on Saturday.
Two distinct debris fields have been identified, with large chunks that should aid the investigation. NTSB investigators are conducting debris mapping and focusing on human factors.
Witnesses, including air traffic controllers, are fully cooperating.
The NTSB has secured two separate flight recorders from the CRJ, and while data is being processed, the release of victim names will not occur. A Black Hawk black box is also being analyzed for flight data.
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List of victims in DC plane crash
What we know:
67 people on board the American Airlines flight and the Blackhawk helicopter are presumed dead.
Below is a list of confirmed names of people on board the flight or the helicopter.
- Everly Livingston
- Alydia Livingston
- Donna Livingston
- Peter Livingston
- Franco Aparicio
- Luciano Aparicio
- Edward Zhou, and his parents Kiyan and Joe
- Cory Haynos, and his parents Stephanie and Roger
- Brielle Beyer and her mom Justyna
- Spencer Lane
- Christine Lane
- Jinna Han
- Jin Han
- Olivia Ter and her mom Oleysa
- Jesse Pitcher
- Tommy Clagget
- Mikey Stovall
- Jon Boyd
- Steve Johnson
- Charles McDaniel
- Alex Huffman
- Andrew Eaves
- Vikesh Patel
- Elizabeth Keys
- Sarah Best
- Casey Crafton
- Sean Kay and his mother Yulia
- Asra Hussain
- Evgenia Shishkova
- Vadim Naumov
- Inna Volyanskaya
- Ryan O'Hara
- Kiah Duggins
- Ian Epstein
- Tim Lilley
- Jonathan Campos
- Wendy Shaffer
MORE: Who was on the plane that crashed in DC? What we know so far about the victims