Chilling new information are emerging in the aftermath of the greatest aviation accident to strike the United States in decades.
According to estimates, no fewer than 67 people were killed in the horrific plane disaster over D.C. on Wednesday night, when American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a US Army Black Hawk chopper piloted by three troops.
The commercial jet crashed in the Potomac River while flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it has been confirmed that there were no survivors.
The victims of the crash
Among the victims of the crash, which President Donald Trump has since described as “preventable,” were several figure skaters, including sisters Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, known on social media as the “Ice Skating Sisters,” and Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Champion pair skaters.
Following the tragedy, the life stories of those who died are being posted online, including that of Elizabeth Keys, an Ohio lady who died on her birthday after allegedly getting an early flight home to be with her lover.
According to WSAZ, Elizabeth was 33 years old on the day of the crash.
“Words cannot express how much Elizabeth, my Bitsy, will be missed.” “We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair over our loss,” her family said in a statement.
They went on to say that Liz, a 2014 Tufts University graduate, sailed on the varsity squad for four years and established many lifetime friends. Liz graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020 with a JD.
“This is only a snapshot of Elizabeth’s life, which was full with loving family and friends. She loved profoundly and was genuinely loved. Liz was a nice and generous woman. She was really entertaining—and witty! Liz had a quick wit and valued it in others. Liz’s presence always made gatherings better; she exuded light and joy. Liz was a close friend to many, giving her everything. Her hugs were delightful!”
Elizabeth, a Washington-based attorney, is believed to have switched flights to spend her birthday with her long-term partner David, who described her as the person who “pushed you to be the best version of yourself.”
This is Cincinnati native Elizabeth Keys. Her family said her birthday was Jan. 29, the same day she got on American Eagle Flight 5342. Her partner told us she was on a work trip when the plane crashed before arriving in D.C., killing her and 66 others. https://t.co/4Xq4kgxRC3 pic.twitter.com/ZFzSqtS52L
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) January 31, 2025
American Airlines crashed.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the crash. According to reports, the American Airlines plane collided with a US Army helicopter on a training mission.
Late on Wednesday evening, President Trump commented on the tragedy, saying it “should have been prevented.”
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” Trump said on his own social media platform, Truth Social. “The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.”
“It was a CLEAR NIGHT, and the plane’s lights were blazing; why didn’t the helicopter move up, down, or turn? “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do rather than asking if they saw the plane?” he continued. “This appears to be a horrible circumstance that could have been prevented. “Not good!!!!”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the president’s remarks during a press conference on Thursday morning. “We’re going to wait for all of the evidence to come in from this vantage point, but based on what the president said and what I’ve seen so far, do I believe this was preventable? He answered, “Absolutely.”
Rest in peace to everyone who died in this awful accident.