The New York Times is now reporting that air traffic controller staffing was “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” according to a preliminary investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

As one of his first actions this month as president, Donald J. Trump froze hiring for federal employees — including air traffic control personnel. The airport had 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023, according to a report to Congress, which is well below the FAA’s target of 30.

Alexandria’s government website has posted a statement warning of increased traffic on the waterfront. The statement reads: “Due to the ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tragic crash at Reagan National Airport, there will be a significant increase in traffic along the waterfront and potential debris in the area.”

Emergency response has shut down several streets in DC, as many EMS teams were executing recovery operations from Capital Cove Marina, directly east across the river from Alexandria’s Washington Sailing Marina. Increased traffic on the waterfront implies congestion on Richmond Highway, as well as on the George Washington Parkway and Potomac Ave, which together flank the tracks of the Metro and run north into Crystal City, the neighborhood directly to the left of Reagan National.

The statement also implored people on the waterfront to “not touch or collect anything you believe may be related to this incident.”

In his first official briefing of his term, President Donald J. Trump expressed condolences to the lives lost in the plane crash before casting blame on the Army officials operating the helicopter and Democrats.

“We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas,” Trump said. “We had a situation where we had a helicopter that had an ability to stop. … You could have slowed down the helicopter, you could have stopped the helicopter.”

“For some reason, it just kept going,” he said.

He then complained about the quality of air traffic control personnel left to his administration by Barack Obama when he first took office in 2016, and also had some harsh words for Joe Biden’s secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg.

“The FAA, … is overseen by Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a real winner,” he said. “Do you know how badly everything’s run since he’s run this Department of Transportation? He’s a disaster. … He’s a disaster now. He’s just got a good line of [expletive].”

Notably, Trump froze hiring of new air traffic control officials in an executive order earlier this month.

An aide to Congressman Don Beyer, whose district encompasses Alexandria, confirmed to Theogony that Beyer’s press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. today outside of Alexandria City High School at Chinquapin Park has been canceled.

Alexandria’s mayor Alyia Gaskins just released the following statement:

“The City of Alexandria expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragic crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This devastating loss is felt by all of us. … We commend the swift and professional response of Alexandria’s Police and Fire teams, as well as those from neighboring jurisdictions who have been working tirelessly at the crash site. Their dedication and expertise exemplify the best of public service. This tragedy highlights the vital importance of collaboration between all levels of government and emergency services. … The City is committed to offering ongoing support and resources to those impacted, both in the immediate aftermath and in the long term.”

President Trump will hold a press conference on the crash at 11 a.m. today, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X.

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is still scheduled to resume operations one hour from now at 11 a.m., and all airport roads and terminals are open.

“Some flights have been delayed or cancelled, so passengers are encouraged to check with their airline for specific flight information,” the airport said in a post on X.

“Several members” of the U.S. figure skating team were onboard the plane that crashed as they were “returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” read a statement from U.S. Figure Skating.

“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the statement said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, whose district encompasses Alexandria, is set to hold a 3 p.m. press conference at Chinquapin Park today, right outside of Alexandria City High School’s King St. campus. Beyer says the conference will be about about President Donald J. Trump’s recent freeze on funding for federal grants and aid, though I can’t imagine the plane crash won’t be brought up.  Theogony will be on-scene.

Representative Ron Estes, whose congressional district includes Wichita, said at the press conference that he is currently unsure of how many of the plane’s passengers were from Wichita. “These things take time,” he said.

Wichita’s mayor, Lily Wu, said unity in her city is necessary: “Our community needs to come together to support the family members who have been impacted, to come together in honor of those individuals on that flight.”

Officials from Wichita, Kan. are currently holding a press conference. The American Airlines jet that crashed into the Potomac River took off in Wichita, which is a smaller and closer-knit community than many realize. You can watch the press conference above.

Officials at Thursday’s press conference said that the bodies of 27 plane passengers and one Army official riding in the helicopter have been recovered by divers.

Washington’s Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that the coordinated, district-wide emergency response rescue operation has transitioned into a recovery operation as of Thursday morning.

This switch comes after Donnelly said in a press conference that he doesn’t “believe there are any survivors.”

At a press conference this morning, Washington’s Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that all 64 passengers on the American Airlines jet and all three soldiers on the Army helicopter have died.

“We don’t believe there are any survivors,” he said, adding that “extremely frigid conditions,  including “heavy wind” and “ice on the water,” made the rescue operation incredibly difficult to manage.

It’s past 1 a.m., and school is in session tomorrow. Theogony will continue with live updates throughout the day tomorrow.

For continued coverage, you can visit NBC4 News and The Washington Post.

“When many people die it’s an unbearable sorrow,” John Marshall, a Republican senator from Kansas, said, before seemingly confirming that no survivors have been found. “We wish there was more we could do, but it doesn’t seem like it at this time.”

“This is the time when we have to join arms together and help each other out,” he added.

Jerry Moran (R), the other senator from Kansas, said that the crash is especially heartbreaking for him.

“I know that flight. I flew it many times myself,” Moran said. “This is a very personal circumstance.”

The press conference just started. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser opened with an update of information we already know, and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy shared that his department will provide full support.

Washington Fire Chief John then said that first responders initially responded at 8:58 p.m., and that currently there are roughly 300 first responders on-scene.

CBS News is now reporting that no one has been rescued from the water. CNN reported the same thing about an hour ago, but NBC4 News said several hours ago that four people were rescued. It seems likely that the NBC4 News report may be inaccurate.

The press briefing scheduled for 12:30 a.m. has yet to start. The dozen or so microphones staged for the briefing at DCA act as a gloomy foreground, with the empty, dystopian airport terminal behind it, and a few distressed travelers can be seen glued to their phones for updates.

Pete Hegseth, the controversial newly-confirmed secretary of defense, recently posted a statement on X regarding the situation. The message reads: “Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families. Investigation launched immediately by Army & DoD.”

Hegseth, who was confirmed in a razor-thin 51-50 vote last Friday, then attached a statement from Media Chief Heather Chairez of the Joint Task Force NCR/MDW Public Affairs Office, confirming the identity of the helicopter involved, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter dispatched from Fort Belvoir, Va.

President Trump questioned actions taken by the helicopter pilot in a post on his social media website Truth Social:

“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

A press briefing on the situation is reportedly scheduled for 12:30 a.m. eastern time.

The Army helicopter that crashed into American Airlines flight 5342 at 9 p.m. this evening is currently flipped upside down in the Potomac River, while the plane itself is split in two, sitting in about seven to eight feet of water, according to police dispatches and NBC4 News

Washington’s Fire and EMS personnel, which are primarily coordinating the response, are being assisted by all surrounding emergency response units, including counties from Virginia, Maryland and Washington. Police dispatches from around two hours ago confirmed that a rescue plane had been dispatched from Prince George’s County. Charles County emergency response teams are also on the scene, coming across the Potomac River from Maryland. Reagan National Airport is technically within the boundaries of Arlington, Va.

Washington’s Fire and EMS police dispatch scanner is haunting, as reports about the airline crash are diluted with other reports about DC carjackings, building fires and domestic alerts. Metro police have been strategizing how to keep emergency services and police operational for standard, more routine calls, as the vast majority of units are on scene at the airline crash.

At least 19 bodies have been pulled ashore, according to the police scanner. Officials over the radio implied they were not alive. Another batch of horrific news.

According to flight radar, the American Airlines plane involved in the crash was flying directly north over the Potomac River. Just before crossing the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, which connects Alexandria to National Harbor, the flight banked right over DC. Then, to secure an approach angle northwest to land on DCA runway 33, the plane banked left, heading directly into the helicopter corridor described in a previous update.

NBC points out that Reagan serves more flights on average than LAX, putting in perspective the immense activity constantly occurring at the airport.

CNN is now reporting that officials “have not yet pulled any survivors from the water.” NBC4 News previously reported at least four passengers were rescued, so it’s unclear which report is correct.

Divers have found multiple passengers still buckled into their seats, according to police scanner radio. Truly heartbreaking.

An Army spokesperson confirmed to CNN that the  Army helicopter involved in the crash was on a “training flight.” The Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region media chief, Heather Chairez, said:

“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir during a training flight. We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”

The U.S. Army helicopter involved in the crash was a UH-60 Blackhawk, which typically transports Army personnel, including “VIPs,” according to a former Army official. That official said the helicopter could have been on a Personnel Air Transport mission.

Army officials confirmed that no “VIPs” were on board, so it’s likely the helicopter was transporting other Army officials.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem just announced on X that she is deploying “every available US Coast Guard resource” to assist with rescue efforts.

According to an NBC Special Report, the fatal American Airlines flight was routed towards DCA runway 33, a shorter runway that points northwest.

Flying over Southwest Washington, near Congress Heights, the commercial plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter directly above the Potomac River, seconds before reaching the runway.

NBC’s report explained that U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and medical helicopters constantly fly over the east bank of the Potomac River, directly opposite DCA, in what the report described as a “corridor.” Whether the Army helicopter that was involved in the collision was out of bounds of this designated area is still unclear and developing.

Washginton’s Fire and EMS services are currently responding to a building fire at 2218 Arnold Ave in Washington. The fire is located extremely close to the estimated spot of the aircraft collision. It is unclear whether the collision caused the building fire in any way.

Members of several police and emergency response teams in the Washington area have been negotiating a “casualty collection area,” according to police dispatches.

Metropolitan Police Department’s landing pad appeared to be one of the locations decided on as of recent communications. The north side of the airport is an additional casualty collection point. The Coast Guard is currently being briefed on the locations of the collection zones.

Dispatches are now saying that only airboats can access the Washington casualty collection point, as the area is still under heavy ice.

It isn’t a good sign if passengers are being transported to police hangars and not hospitals.

I’ll also note that, while rowing, I frequently saw Black Hawk helicopters flying above, even while planes were landing and taking off. It never stuck out to me as dangerous, but in hindsight it certainly seems like risky situation.

As a rower, I’ve rowed on the Potomac where the crash occurred countless times. Planes flew above us and landed dozens of times each practice. The thought that a plane might crash never crossed my mind. Watching these scenes with dozens of rescue boats searching for survivors — where even earlier today the ACHS crew team may have rowed — is sickening.

The Federal Aviation Administration just released a statement saying the plane involved in the crash was operated by PSA Airlines, not American Airlines, though the plane was owned by American Airlines. “PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines,” the statement read.

President Donald J. Trump just released a statement on the crash:

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 22 that froze hiring of air traffic control officials, according to House Democrats.

Aerial footage reviewed by Theogony shows the plane split in half but floating in the water, and the helicopter bobbing under the water. NBC4 News reports that divers have gotten access to the plane, but not the helicopter as it is not stable.

The New York Times reports that three U.S. Army officials were in the Black Hawk helicopter when it crashed, and that no senior Army officials were in the helicopter. It’s still unclear if any of them survived, and aerial footage shows that the helicopter is bobbing in the water. NBC4 News reports that divers have not yet been able to access the helicopter.

Alexandria’s recently-elected mayor, Alyia Gaskins, just released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming Alexandria’s emergency personnel assisted in the response:

It’s currently 40 degrees outside with a wind chill of 33 degrees. In the Potomac River, it’s likely much colder, and temperatures are expected to drop down to the low 30s this evening. Any survivors are at an extreme risk of contracting hypothermia, which can be developed within 20 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

American Airlines just confirmed that its flight AA-5342 was the plane that crashed.

Vice President JD Vance, who lived in Del Ray, Alexandria for several months in 2024, shared a statement offering hope:

“Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”

Officials just confirmed that 64 passengers, including four crew members, were on the plane. They did not share how many people were on board the helicopter, though the U.S. Army confirmed that it was the organization operating the helicopter.

Cameras at the Kennedy Center captured the tragic collision.

The Federal Aviation Administration just released the following statement:

“This information is preliminary and subject to change.

A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

We will provide updates as information comes in.”

FOX News host Sean Hannity just claimed 60+ passengers died, citing a congressman as a source.

Video footage reviewed by Theogony appears to show the plane colliding with a helicopter and falling to the ground.

Theogony has reviewed online flight trackers and determined the flight is American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita, Kan. It likely has about 60 passengers based on its size, though it’s unclear how many were on board.

A dispatch notification on the police radio initially described the crash as a “mass casualty incident.” It’s unclear if that is a generic code or if it’s specific to the situation.

BREAKING: According to police radio communications, a plane has crashed into the Potomac river near Reagan National Airport. It is believed to be a small aircraft. A rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River.