Hell

Those close to the individuals who perished in the Washington D.C. airplane accident are sharing insights on how they’re coping with their sorrow.

Adrian Ma, the NPR host whose partner Kiah Duggins was on the American Airlines flight involved in a collision with an Army helicopter on January 29, shared the heart-wrenching experience of coping with his loss. He described the days since the tragic crash as feeling like being trapped in an emotional inferno.

Kiah, 30, was just one of the 67 people killed when American Airlines Flight 5342 ended in tragedy.

As the plane approached landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C., having taken off from Wichita, Kansas, it encountered a mid-air collision with a Black Hawk military helicopter. Both the passenger aircraft and the helicopter collided before plunging into the Potomac River.

Reminders of Kiah are all around me,” I often find myself saying wistfully. “Her spectacles lie on the bedside table, her garments hang in the wardrobe, and strands of her hair dot the room. At times, I catch faint whispers of her voice, particularly when I encounter something intriguing that I’d love to share with her, only to remember that our shared moments are now a thing of the past.

As he put it, “It’s just been a new level of pain that I didn’t know I could experience.”

Kiah, a lawyer specializing in civil rights, was about to start her new role as a teacher at Howard University School of Law – a position that Adrian noted was a long-held dream for her. Notably, Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé, paid tribute to Kiah and praised her accomplishments during a eulogy.

Tina expressed deep sorrow on January 31st via Instagram, over the loss of this talented, young woman. May peace rest with her family, my heartfelt condolences and prayers are with you all. May your soul rest in eternal peace, Kiah.

Instead of keeping quiet, Adrian decided to openly discuss his late girlfriend as a way to “release” or “get over” the heavy sorrow he’s been feeling ever since she passed away.

Adrian added, “There’s something else I’d like to mention – Kiah. I believe if we can subtly convey a bit about her character, it will help keep her memory alive for others.

The radio host spoke fondly of his deceased girlfriend, calling her “a living embodiment of sunshine,” and shared that she would often inquire, “What was the most enchanting moment of your day?

Keep reading for everything to know about the devastation of the American Airlines crash…

On January 29th evening, American Airlines flight 5342, bound from Wichita, Kansas to Washington D.C., experienced a collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in the vicinity of the Reagan Washington National Airport. This incident was later confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration via their social media platform, previously known as Twitter. The ensuing crash resulted in both the plane (with 60 passengers and 4 crew members) and the helicopter (carrying 3 people) plunging into the Potomac River.

A Bombardier CRJ-700 series twin-engine jet, manufactured in Canada, was the aircraft being flown by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines.

Initially intended as a rescue effort, it eventually transformed into a recovery operation, with the tragic confirmation that all 67 passengers on board both planes had perished.

Officials from Washington, D.C. expressed their heartfelt sympathies, stating, “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families as they face this devastating situation.” They also pledged, “We offer our sincerest condolences and remain steadfast in our efforts to assist them during these challenging times.

According to the latest report from the National Transportation Safety Board, who are currently conducting the investigation, preliminary findings suggest that the helicopter may have been flying above the approved altitude of 200 feet for its designated flight path based on air traffic control data.

According to the NTSB’s February 4th update, the data indicated that the Black Hawk was approximately 300 feet high on the air traffic control screen at the moment of the collision, but it should be noted that this measurement is rounded up to the nearest hundred feet.

Of the sixty individuals, there were twenty-eight people associated with American figure skating – including skaters, coaches, and their families – who were attending a training camp in Wichita, Kansas, as stated by U.S. Figure Skating.

The organizers informed NBC News that these skaters, trainers, and relatives were on their way home from a joint National Development Camp and U.S. Figure Skating Championships event. They are deeply saddened by this unimaginable disaster and keep the families of the victims in their thoughts.

The world-champion Russian figure skating pair Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who got married in 1995, were additionally part of the group, as confirmed by the sports regulatory body.

As an overly eager admirer, I, with bated breath, stood at the bustling international airport, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hamaad Raza and his beloved wife, who were on that very American Airlines flight.

He shared with CBS affiliate WUSA9, “I’m hoping beyond words that someone is rescuing her from the river at this very moment. That’s all I can hope for. I’m sending up a heartfelt wish to heaven.

As I prepare for my upcoming role as a faculty member at Howard University School of Law this fall, I find myself reflecting on an interesting experience I recently had – I was one of the passengers on a flight that made headlines. The esteemed institution shared that they are eagerly anticipating my arrival, given my background as a civil rights attorney who holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

According to Ron McLendon II, the spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, it was a helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion stationed at Davison Army Airfield in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, that NBC News confirmed.

During the accident, it was revealed that the plane was engaged in a mid-flight training exercise when it collided.

As I closely observed the individuals aboard, I recognized them as Captain Rebecca Lobach, a 28-year-old, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, aged 39, and Staff Sergeant Ryan Austin O’Hara, also 28 years old.

These entities – the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Army, and National Transportation Safety Board – are all conducting an investigation into the accident. Notably, the National Transportation Safety Board is spearheading this inquiry. Additionally, the Pentagon has independently launched its own investigation.

In an ongoing investigation, Jeff Guzzetti – a former investigator for both the NTSB and FAA – shared with Today that the air traffic control communications from that night will undergo close examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The controller involved will be interviewed, and the radar data will be meticulously analyzed by the NTSB.

Currently, on February 4th, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are still transcribing the cockpit voice recordings for both planes. They provided this update. Simultaneously, the NTSB, in partnership with the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, continue their efforts to retrieve the debris from the Potomac River.

President Donald J. Trump shared his condolences about the tragedy.

The White House has released a statement, confirming that they have been fully informed about the tragic accident at Reagan National Airport. May those who perished rest in peace. Our deepest gratitude goes out to the heroic first responders for their tireless efforts. I am closely following the developments and will share further updates as they become available.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this:

“Just like I soared to victory at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita earlier this month, I was grounded elsewhere on January 26th. Hearing about that tragic plane incident, my thoughts and prayers are with those who were aboard, hoping for their safety and well-being.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also shared her sorrow, stating at a press briefing that the city’s heart is feeling particularly weighty.

She expressed her condolences to everyone affected, stating that this unfortunate incident has created an indelible bond between the residents of Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas.

2-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan expressed a heartfelt statement to media outlets following the tragic accident that took the lives of six skaters from the Boston-based Skating Club, where she too once honed her skills.

Kerrigan expressed, choking back tears, that he was eager to join and belong to our group. Discovering that some of the individuals on the plane were acquaintances made the situation all the more painful for him.

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2025-02-21 17:48