On a routine winter evening in Washington, D.C., an American Airlines flight from Wichita collided midair with a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 aboard both aircraft. Among the victims was flight attendant Danasia Elder of Charlotte, known for her kindness and faith, along with crew members Ian Epstein, Captain Jonathan Campos, and First Officer Samuel Lilley. The crash stunned communities from Charlotte to Wichita.

The collision happened under clear skies in heavily monitored airspace. Investigators from the NTSB, FAA, and Department of Defense are reviewing flight data, air traffic communications, and other factors. Memorials have appeared at Charlotte Douglas Airport, where passengers and colleagues remember the crew’s warmth and professionalism. Families are honoring the victims through scholarships and charitable funds. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy promised a transparent investigation and a renewed focus on improving civilian-military airspace coordination and collision-avoidance technology.