City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Plane and helicopter collide near DCA, mass casualties
January 30, 2025 · 💌 Kaela Cote Stemmermann
Hey, neighbor.
D.C. is in shock after yesterday's horrific plane collision over the Potomac, the worst air tragedy in our region since 1982.
I was driving by DCA last night as the news broke, and the scene was so grim that I pulled over. Walking through Gravelly Point, I saw hundreds of emergency vehicles lining the Potomac and search helicopters flying overhead. Gasoline filled the air. Dozens of reporters and bystanders lined the side of the road, trying to make sense of what we were seeing.
The flight was going from Wichita to DCA, and many of our neighbors had family members on that plane. The scope of this tragedy is enormous. But, D.C. has stepped up in its own way, from Metro providing warming buses for search and rescue to hundreds of local first responders dropping everything to help. We're still trying to understand what happened here, but what we know is below.
What's CITY Talking About?
Plane Crash Over Potomac Results In 19+ Deaths
An American Airlines flight from Wichita to D.C. collided in midair with a military helicopter over the Potomac River near DCA last night. A massive search operation is underway and so far, emergency responders have recovered 19 bodies. There are no known survivors yet. [City Cast DC 🎧]
- The passenger plane was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter held three soldiers.
- All take-offs and landings at DCA have been halted until 11 a.m.
- Freezing conditions and darkness are contributing to a difficult search operation. D.C.’s Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. described the river as a "large black spot.”
- Mayor Bowser has been at the scene overnight. Her next press conference on the crisis is at 7:30 a.m.
- This is the first major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in 16 years, and in the D.C. area since 1982.
We'll have more on this evolving breaking news story in tomorrow's Hey DC newsletter and City Cast DC podcast.
Trump Reverses Federal Grant Freeze
The Trump administration rescinded a memo from Monday that ordered a halt on all federal funding. But the White House press secretary has suggested the freeze might not be totally off the table. So, the confusion continues. [Axios]
Nationals’ Plan to Boost Neighborhood Hub
The baseball team unveiled early concepts to ramp up the area surrounding Nationals Park and transform it into a year-round retail and entertainment hub with ground-level shops and restaurants. No word on what the project would cost or who would fund it. [Washington Business Journal 🔒]
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What To Do
Thursday, Jan. 30
- ✍️ Writerly Happy Hour | 6 - 7:30 p.m. | Free | Park View
- 📚 Folger Library Reading Room Festival (starts) | 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. | $20+ | Capitol Hill
- 🎤 Memoir Talk: Neko Case | 7 p.m. | $12+ | Chinatown
- 🎥 Movie Screening: “The Deer King” | 6:30 p.m. | Free | Japanese Embassy, Downtown
Friday, Jan. 31
- 🎞️ Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival | 7 p.m. | $28+ | Downtown
- 🤘 2010-2015 Pop & EDM Dance Party | 10 p.m. | $25 | The Wharf
- ☕ Doubles Coffee Tasting Class | 11 a.m. | $10 | Park View
- 🕺Gumbo: A Dirty South Dance Party | 9 p.m. | $20+ | Ivy City
- 💀 Chamber of Comedy Showcase | 9:30 p.m. | $12+ | Adams Morgan
- ⛷️ Apres Ski's & Teas Popup | 8 - 11 p.m. | Free | Shirlington
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