Deadliest U.S. Air Disaster in Two Decades Investigated

A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., involving an American Eagle passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals on both aircraft. Among the deceased was Filipino Police Colonel Pergentino Malabed Jr., who was on official travel. The collision, noted as the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over two decades, is under investigation by the NTSB, focusing on pilot communication and air traffic control procedures. Initial reports suggest the passenger flight was redirected to a different runway shortly before the crash. Loved ones of the victims, including the husband of Asra Hussain, who communicated with her moments before the accident, are grappling with their loss. The aviation community is analyzing the incident, with experts discussing potential human errors and procedural failures that could have contributed to the collision.