Recovery crews are using heavy-duty cranes, barges, and specialized diving equipment to remove the wreckage of a plane that crashed into the Potomac River following a mid-air collision.
The operation, overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is expected to take several days as officials work to recover debris and investigate the cause of the incident.
NTSB releases photos from the Jan. 29 Bombardier CRJ700 and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk mid-air collision on the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport: https://t.co/YAj2MO2tXA pic.twitter.com/BLVf0N7ASE
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) February 2, 2025
Large cranes mounted on barges are being used to lift the heavier sections of the aircraft from the riverbed. Divers equipped with underwater cutting tools are carefully disassembling parts of the wreckage to facilitate safer removal. Support vessels are also present to transport debris to shore for further examination.
Authorities have stressed the importance of preserving evidence during the recovery process.
“Every piece of debris tells a part of the story,” an NTSB spokesperson stated. “We are conducting a meticulous operation to ensure nothing critical is lost.”
In addition to the physical challenges of retrieving the aircraft, crews are contending with strong river currents and cold temperatures, which complicate diving operations. Despite these obstacles, officials are confident they will be able to recover all major components.
The crash, which occurred over the weekend, has raised concerns about airspace safety in the region. Investigators will analyze recovered materials to determine what led to the tragic collision.
Recovery efforts will continue in the coming days, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area while operations are underway.