Local authorities have recovered the bodies of all victims from the Flight 5432 collision. The accident killed 67 passengers and left debris in the Potomac after the plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter last Wednesday. Earlier in the week, DC fire and EMS chief John Donnelly had vowed to recover all 67 victims of the crash, but the search teams were delayed by cold temperatures and low visibility in the water.

In addition to the recovery of bodies, authorities have started to clear debris out of the river, including both the plane and the Black Hawk helicopter it collided with. The wreckages will be used to investigate the cause of the crash. The black boxes from both vehicles, which contain flight data and recordings of the pilots’ conversations in the cockpit, have already been retrieved by rescue teams. Cranes have been used to lift large pieces of debris, including the entire right wing of the airplane, out of the river. 

While the cause of the crash has not been officially determined, the National Transportation Safety board confirmed that the helicopter was flying between 250-350 feet in the air, while the maximum elevation for helicopters is 200 feet. The Federal Aviation Association has also reported that there were also notable staffing shortages at the air traffic control center, with only one controller managing helicopter and plane traffic on the day of the collision. 

The American Airlines plane was carrying notable figure skaters from Russia and the United States. In a statement from Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid, she expressed condolences.

“Our hearts are broken as we learn that we have lost members of our FCPS family in the tragic accident at Reagan National Airport last night,” Reid said.

In the wake of the horrific accident, a “Legacy on Ice” skating benefit has been organized for March in Washington D.C. Hopefully, with the victims now recovered, communities and families affected can begin to heal from this recent tragedy.