Families of 67 people who died in a plane crash last January gathered on Wednesday evening to commemorate their first anniversary. After only one day Investigators testified about years of ignored warnings and near misses.
Family members and politicians spoke Wednesday throughout the music-filled ceremony Honoring the victims Who died when an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed It collided near Reagan National Airport On January 29, 2025, outside Washington, D.C., on the occasion of the anniversary The most dangerous plane crash On US soil since 2001.
“While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other,” said Doug Lane, husband of Christine Conrad Lane, 49, and father of aspiring skier Spencer Lane, 16, who died in the accident. “So that’s what we did, and that’s what we’ve done ever since.”
The audience gathered in the Constitution Hall of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington.
All aboard the helicopter and the plane — which was flying from Wichita, Kansas — died when the two planes collided and plunged into the icy Potomac River.
There was no single cause for the crash, National Transportation Safety Board investigators testified Tuesday during an hours-long hearing.
Board President Jennifer Homendy said the incident was “100% avoidable.”
The memorial included musical performances, including country music stars, the D.C. Fire Department’s drum corps, the Emerald Society’s drum corps and, separately, a performance by a firefighter who was there the night of the accident. The ceremony also included a montage of personal photos, graduation photos, videos taken on sunny vacations, and snapshots of performances by some artists. 28 ice skaters who were killed.
Alexandria Mayor Aliya Gaskins also announced the creation of a memorial plaque on the Potomac River.
First responders who rushed to the scene — where many fell into the frozen river, first to try to save lives, then later to search for bodies — were honored Wednesday with metals.
“Although this has been the worst year for my family, the same has been true for many of the first responders who responded to the scene,” said Matt Collins, brother of passenger Chris Collins, 42. “We realize how much this has hurt you, and tonight is our opportunity to say thank you.”
Several family members also attended Tuesday’s NTSB hearing. Some were taken outside, including two who were crying, where they watched an animation re-enacting some of the final moments of their loved ones’ lives. Others wore black T-shirts bearing the names of first responder units.
Tuesday’s testimony concluded with recommendations from the NTSB to prevent crashes.
Some reforms depend on Congress, the military and the Trump administration. Chief among them is a bill that would require planes to have advanced positioning systems to help prevent collisions, something the NTSB has recommended for years. Republican Senator Ted Cruz he said at the memorial That the bill was on the cusp of final passage.
Transport Minister Sean Duffy praised the families for their advocacy.
“You were obviously angry. You couldn’t understand, how could this happen? Who could let this happen?” Duffy said. “You had choices, and you chose to pay it forward.”
On Wednesday, many families doubled down on the need for reforms.
“Honoring the 67 means more than just remembering who they were,” said Rachel Ferris, a cousin of Peter Livingston, 48, who died with his wife, Donna Livingston, 48, and their two children, Alydia Livingston, 11, and Everly Livingston, 14. “It means letting their lives and our love for them shape what we choose to do moving forward.”