Youngkin was one of several officials who traveled to the Ronald Reagan National Airport after the crash. Over 30 bodies have been recovered as of Thursday morning. The governor told the Washington Examiner that authorities have shifted their response from rescuing any survivors to recovering the people killed in the crash.
“The 60 passengers on the American Airlines flight, plus the four crew members and the three crew members on the military helicopter, are all presumed deceased,” Youngkin told the Washington Examiner’s Tiana Lowe Doescher. “The recovery effort is undertaken in haste today, and we’re doing everything we can to support the NTSB as they support the families who have really, I’m sure, found themselves in a circumstance they couldn’t possibly imagine. What a tragic day.”
The airplane, which had four crew members on it, in addition to the passengers, and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed into each other as the plane approached the airport. Both fell into the Potomac River below. The helo, which was based at Fort Belvoir, Va. and was on a training exercise, had three military members on board.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon and the US Army have launched an investigation into the catastrophic midair collision
Hegseth confirmed the probe in a statement on X, emphasizing that the investigation was “launched immediately.”
He called the incident “absolutely tragic” and noted that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing. “Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,” he added.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed “deep sorrow” about the crash in a statement.
Isom, in a video statement, said the aircraft was operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines.
“First and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events,” Isom said. “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”
Isom noted that the company was working with local, state and federal authorities to assess the crash and respond to the situation.
“We’re cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board and its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can,” he said.
The airline chief added that the company wants to learn everything it can about the crash but acknowledged that it “will take time.”
Members of American Airlines’ “Go team” are being deployed to aid the situation.
“I know that there are many questions in this early stage I just won’t be able to answer many, but we’ll provide additional information as it comes,” Isom added.
