One year later: NTSB to determine probable cause of deadly Flight 5342 crash

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WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - January 29, 2026 marks one year since the tragedy involving American Airlines Flight 5342. 67 lives were lost when an army helicopter collided midair with a flight over the Potomac River in Washington D.C.

12 News will be in D.C. throughout the week as the National Transportation Safety Board will be determining the probable cause of the crash, as well as provide new safety recommendations.

Looking back at January 29, 2025

Wednesday, Jan. 29 was supposed to be an ordinary day for travelers at Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport.

64 passengers and crew members boarded American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita to Washington D.C. Among those on board were educators, advocates and parents. Nearly half of the passengers were from the figure skating community, who were in town for the US Championships.

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Reagan National Airport was in sight, with the plane just seconds away from landing, when a military helicopter on a training mission flew in the direct path of the descending plane.

Despite efforts from Air Traffic control to separate the two aircraft, they collided in midair, and both plummeted into the frigid Potomac River.

A chilling call came in, alerting emergency crews of a crash. First responders rushed to the river, sounding a mass casualty alarm as they searched for any signs of survivors.

In an announcement to the people of Wichita, Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said, “We have been told that there are no survivors.”

“Everyone who flies in American skies expects to fly safely,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “We will not rest until we have answers.”

67 people were killed. In the months that followed, investigators worked countless hours to answer one critical question - how did this happen?

Findings from the National Transportation Safety Board

Investigators piecing the crash together found not just one factor that caused the collision, but a series of errors. Warnings about some of these errors had been issued before the crash occurred.

John Goglia, a former NTSB board member, said that “virtually everybody in the accident investigation at the NTSB touched this accident.”

The NTSB found the helicopter was flying above the maximum altitude designated for Route 4 over the river, and was not using ADS-B technology that would have transmitted the aircraft’s location.

“Should the local controller have let the PSA know that there was a helicopter there? Yes,” said Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair.

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The NTSB found alarming stats that show near misses have been regular occurrences between planes and helicopters. Since 2021, in the airspace near the Reagan National Airport, there have been 85 close calls.

“October 2021 through December 2024, there were 15,214 occurrences or close proximity events between commercial airplanes and helicopters,” Homendy said. “It shouldn’t take a tragedy to require immediate action.”

After too many close calls between planes and helicopters, the NTSB made urgent safety recommendations, including eliminating helicopter Route 4 from Haynes point to the Wilson Bridge while runways are being used for takeoffs and landings, since that route crosses paths with planes. It was on that route over the river where the two aircraft collided.

“Everybody in the FAA and the tower was saying there was a problem, but you guys are pointing out, ‘well our bureaucratic process, someone should’ve brought it up at some other symposium,’” Homendy said. “Are you kidding me? 67 people are dead. How do you explain that?”

Families push for stricter safety measures

No voice has been louder than the families of those killed in the crash. The families have advocated for permanent safety measures, called on Congress to require tighter restrictions around military flights and called for location technology to be installed and turned on.

“We expect better, and people deserve better. Safety must come first,” said the Families of Flight 5342. “We ask for thoughtful, evidence-based improvements that honor the memory of those we’ve lost, and protect every family that flies.”

“There is just a hole in my heart that will never be filled,” said Gwen Duggins, the mother of Flight 5342 victim Kiah Duggins.

Some of those family members will be traveling to Washington D.C. for a memorial service on Wednesday to honor their loved ones and recognize the first responders.

What comes next

This week, the NTSB is expected to release the first significant update in the investigation in six months. In August, the board held a three-day hearing, questioning officials from the FAA, army and other agencies.

Now, investigators will be voting on the probable cause of the crash and proposing new safety recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy.

So far, because of recommendations that have already been made, the FAA has made a variety of changes at DCA, including permanently closing the Route 4 helicopter path that was being flown that night.

Goglia said he expects the safety agency to expand on their previous recommendations and wants there to be a reduction of traffic in the D.C. airspace.

“What pains me the most is the human failures that went unaddressed by the people who have the responsibility to correct those human errors,” Goglia said.

“We have a string of probable cause, and a very long string of contributing factors, and we will have a long string of recommendations,” Goglia said. “Some of the parties in this investigation will want to get through to this as long as they can, get it invisible and hope it goes away, and the next six months will be difficult for the platers in the business, the NTSB board members speaking out. Will be vocal to drive decision makers to do the right thing.”

In December, the US government took some responsibility for the crash. In court documents filed in response to lawsuits from the families of those killed, the government said the helicopter pilots failed to maintain vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft, and that failure was a cause of the collision.

The court documents also claim the pilots on Flight 5342 similarly failed to avoid the helicopter.

Meanwhile, congressional leaders are using the tragedy to pass legislation known as the Rotor Act, requiring all aircraft to turn on ADS-B when flying, which is real-time location technology.

“The Rotor Act closes the loopholes described by my colleagues. It strengthens ADS-B requirement for commercial and military aircraft, among many other things,” said Sen. Jerry Moran.

A former NTSB member said that after the agency determines the probably cause and issues more recommendations, the case does not close. For months, and potentially years to come, board members will be speaking out, making sure lawmakers and federal agencies adopt those recommendations.

12 News will be in Washington D.C. all week to speak with investigators, lawmakers and the families of the victims. You can stay up to date with our coverage here.