On the evening of January 29, Jimmy Mazeo, a local resident, had a chilling experience as he witnessed a tragic plane crash unfold in the sky above Gravelly Point, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Mazeo was at the popular plane-spotting location with his girlfriend, enjoying the view and having dinner, when he saw a series of “white flares” light up the sky. Initially, he and his girlfriend thought they were witnessing shooting stars, not realizing the disaster that was taking place.
The incident involved an American Airlines plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was preparing to land on Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan National Airport when it collided mid-air with a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopter, which was carrying three US soldiers, was also involved in the crash. Both aircraft plummeted into the Potomac River, creating a terrifying scene for witnesses and rescue teams.
Mazeo described how, after seeing the flares, he and his girlfriend were confused but did not immediately panic. However, their concern grew when they noticed fire trucks, police cars, and police boats heading towards the river. As they looked around, they realized something terrible had just occurred. “It was insane. It was really insane,” Mazeo said in an interview, still in shock. “I’m praying for all the people that are involved in this.”
The aftermath of the crash has been devastating. At least 19 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River, and rescue operations continue in an effort to locate more victims. Heartbreaking stories have emerged from loved ones of those on board. One man shared that he received a final text from his wife, who was aboard the American Airlines flight, just moments before the collision.
In the wake of the disaster, an audio recording has surfaced, in which an airline official can be heard describing the “fireball” that erupted after the collision. This chilling account only adds to the sense of disbelief surrounding the tragic event.
The Pentagon confirmed that the crash involved a military helicopter, and President Donald Trump praised the efforts of the emergency services, highlighting their “incredible work” in response to the disaster. He also raised questions about whether the crash could have been prevented. Meanwhile, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced that he would be traveling to Washington, DC, to support the investigation into the cause of the incident.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine the cause of the collision. As details continue to emerge, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of air safety.
For Mazeo, the experience was overwhelming. Though he was not directly involved in the crash, the impact of witnessing such a tragedy left him in a state of disbelief. “It’s crazy that we got to experience what happened tonight,” he reflected. He ended his statement by offering his thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tragic crash.
