In the wake of a catastrophic midair collision over the Potomac River, efforts to recover victims and remove debris have become a challenging yet urgent task. On Monday, the Army Corps of Engineers initiated the careful extraction of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter, both of which collided near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport just last week.
Against the bustling backdrop of the airport and the dominating presence of the U.S. Capitol, the salvage operation commenced at dawn. By midday, a barge-mounted crane had already succeeded in retrieving one of the plane’s engines along with its crumpled fuselage. Colonel Francis Pera from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed that the operation resumed later in the afternoon, focusing on a wing of the aircraft.
This wreckage is set to be transferred to a hanger for a thorough inspection by National Transportation Safety Board experts, who are committed to unraveling the root cause of America’s most grievous air disaster in 16 years.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of 64 individuals aboard the passenger jet and three more from the Black Hawk's crew, the latter of whom were engaged in a nighttime training exercise. To date, 55 victims have been identified by the Chief Medical Examiner’s office, according to D.C. Assistant Fire Chief Fary Steen. Steen emphasized the importance of handling the recovery of these individuals with the utmost dignity and respect.
Occasional halts in the removal operations were observed, as remains amidst the debris took precedence. The assists have been on an unwavering journey since the onset, working with dedication towards reuniting the lost with their families.
Prior preparation for the salvage kicked off last Friday, with divers capturing video footage of the submerged debris. The primary goal was to pinpoint and extract the more significant pieces of wreckage first. Throughout this investigation phase, additional remains were also found.
Colonel Pera underscored that meticulous coordination with the Unified Command ensures all operations are conducted within the framework of maintaining the dignity of those lost in the crash.
With support from various national agencies, including the Navy and a 200-strong U.S. Coast Guard team, rehearsals for safe and thorough debris removal were conducted. The collective objective remains the comprehensive recovery and forensic examination of all wreckage and remains.
Offering emotional support, Fire Chief John Donnelly of the Washington, D.C., Fire Department has reached out to the bereaved families. He acknowledged their profound loss and shared in their grief, highlighting their determination to retrieve their loved ones' remains.
The retrieval of any wreckage potentially containing remains will occur discreetly, with private settings established immediately on the river. Local teams persist in their search along the shoreline, advising the public to report any findings promptly to authorities to ensure swift collection and processing.
As recovery and extraction efforts resume, peer support services are provided to help the responding personnel manage the emotional challenges posed by the incident. These stringent measures aim to support both the families of the victims and the responders handling the arduous task of making sense of this tragedy.