7 Maryland Men Dead in D.C. Plane Crash After Kansas Hunting Trip

On January 29, 2025, a tragic mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Photo:@News18

Investigations revealed that the Black Hawk helicopter was operating at an altitude between 300 and 350 feet above the ground, exceeding its authorized limit of 200 feet. Preliminary data suggests that the helicopter may have been registered to air traffic control at a lower altitude, around 200 feet, though more reliable data indicates the passenger jet was at a higher altitude when the collision occurred. 

A Comprehensive Insight of Washington D.C. Plane Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the reasons behind the helicopter’s unauthorized altitude and the effectiveness of the air traffic control warnings. The investigation also aims to determine why the helicopter was operating above its authorized altitude and whether any factors, such as equipment malfunctions or human error, contributed to the incident. Photo:@NZ Herald

Recovery operations have been challenging due to cold temperatures and ice in the Potomac River. Divers and specialists have been working diligently to recover and identify the victims, with 55 out of 67 victims identified as of February 2, 2025. 

This incident has raised concerns about air traffic control safety and protocols, particularly regarding the management of aircraft operating under the same controller’s oversight. The NTSB’s ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity on the factors contributing to this devastating collision.Photo:@ABC News

Kansas Hunting Trip Ends With The Plane Crash Tragedy

A group of friends from the Washington, D.C. area were on their way home from a Kansas hunting trip when Flight 5342 crashed on Wednesday, Jan. 29. They had embarked on a hunting trip with a group of 10 people to Great Bend, located about 100 miles outside of Wichita. 

A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Photo:@Daily Mail

Among the victims were seven friends from the Washington, D.C., area who were returning home from a waterfowl hunting trip in Kansas. The men, all residents of Maryland, were identified as Jesse Pitcher, 30; Michael Stovall, 40; Steve Johnson, 45; Alexander Huffman, 34; Charles McDaniel, 44; Jonathan Boyd, 40; and 38-year-old Tommy Clagett.

The group was associated with Fowl Plains, a Kansas-based outfitter. In a Facebook post shared on January 30, Fowl Plains expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Last night we lost 7 family members in the horrific plane crash. 7 family members we’ve had the privilege to hunt with for the last few years.” Photo:@People

Four of the seven men were members of the UA Steamfitters Local 602 labor union in Maryland, while others in the group worked together and were close friends. The family of 30-year-old Jesse Pitcher shared that he had founded a plumbing company in Maryland and, along with his wife of one year, Kylie, had just broken ground on their new house. 

This incident has profoundly affected the Washington, D.C., community and beyond. Memorials and tributes have been held for the victims, including civil rights attorney Kiah Duggins, who was among those killed. Harvard Law School, where Duggins had recently graduated, shared tributes honoring her commitment to justice and community building. Photo:@The Guardian

Preliminary findings suggest that the American Airlines jet was at an altitude of 325 feet, indicating that the helicopter may have been operating above its maximum route altitude of 200 feet. The air traffic controller alerted the helicopter two minutes before the collision, and data records a reaction from the plane’s crew one second before impact. 

Unlock The Victim Details Of Washington D.C. Airplane Crash

A tragic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Photo:@Phila.com

The collision also claimed the lives of members of the Skating Club of Boston, who were returning from a development camp following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita. Victims included teenage figure skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their mothers, and two Russian-born coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who had won a 1994 world championship in pairs skating. 

The deceased also included nine students and parents from Fairfax County, Virginia, schools, four members of a steamfitters’ local union in suburban Maryland, and two Chinese nationals. 

A Skating Coach And Two Skaters Died In A Plane Collision

Delaware citizens Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, Sean Kay, and Angela Yang perished in the DC aircraft disaster, according to State Senator Chris Coons. Kirsanov was a former skating coach for the University of Delaware’s figure skating club, according to Dennis Assanis, president of the university.Photo:@Newark Post

In a statement published on the university’s website Thursday, he stated, “At this time, we are aware that Sasha Kirsanov, a former coach of the UD Figure Skating Club, was on the airplane.” “We think there were also two young skaters on board who belonged to the UD Figure Skating Club.”

“Kirsanov and the skaters trained at the University’s High-Performance Training Center, which has been the training ground for numerous world-class skating champions and competitors for many years and makes use of UD ice rink facilities. Many of our kids and instructors have trained and competed with individuals who were gone, and the figure skating community is quite close-knit.Photo:@The Independent

“Sasha was more than just a coach – he was a mentor, a friend, and a light in the skating world,” stated Melissa Maldonado, head of the school’s figure skating club. Many of us grew both on and off the rink thanks to his generosity, insight, and unfailing faith in his skaters. His passion for this sport was infectious.

Victim Families Visit the Plane Crash Site 

Dozens of family members of the 67 victims who perished in the collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane gathered on Sunday for a memorial ceremony.Photo:@AP News

Ten charter buses with a police escort transported the family members to the banks of the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport just outside of Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reported.

Officials Say The Army Helicopter Was Twice Warned About Passenger Jet

New details of the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that struck American Airlines flight 5342 on Wednesday, January 29, killing 67 people, have been made public by officials.

During a briefing on Saturday, February 1, National Transportation Safety Board officials informed reporters that the plane was flying more than 100 feet above the permitted altitude when the Black Hawk helicopter struck it between 300 and 350 feet above the ground.

Photo:@AOL

Though more trustworthy data indicates the passenger jet was at a higher altitude when it was struck, the authorities said there was also a more preliminary indication that the helicopter might have registered to air traffic control as being at only about 200 feet for some reason that is still being investigated. To pinpoint the helicopter’s flight path, officials stated that they anticipated additional information shortly.

7 Maryland Killed in D.C. Plane Crash After Kansas Hunt

The tragic mid-air collision between the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and the American Airlines regional jet near Washington, D.C. has left an indelible mark on the families of the 67 victims and the broader community. As the investigation into the causes of this devastating crash unfolds, it is clear that there are significant concerns regarding air traffic control procedures and the oversight of aircraft operating at different altitudes within the same airspace.Photo:@Instagram

Preliminary findings suggest that the Black Hawk may have been operating at an unauthorized altitude, with air traffic controllers issuing warnings that came too late to prevent the collision. The complex recovery efforts and emotional toll on the families, as well as the painful memories of the victims, have highlighted the importance of addressing safety measures in aviation. 

With multiple agencies involved in the investigation, there is hope that a comprehensive understanding of the incident will emerge, offering valuable lessons to prevent such tragedies in the future. For the families and loved ones of the victims, this tragedy is a profound loss that goes beyond just the impact of the crash but underscores the deep connections and memories shared with those who were tragically taken too soon.