UPDATE: D.C. Midair Collision Investigation

This is heartbreaking work.

D.C. Fire Chief John Donelly Sr., at a press conference Friday afternoon, commenting on recovery efforts after the collision of a passenger jet and Army helicopter on Wednesday night.

What Happened: An American Airlines plane with 64 people on board collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. 

What We Know:

• Officials have said the crash killed all 67 people aboard the two aircrafts, including three U.S. soldiers and several professional figure skaters from the U.S. and Russia. Police recovery crews are continuing to comb the shores of the Potomac River by boat. On Friday afternoon, D.C. Fire Chief John Donelly confirmed the recovery of 41 victims.
• The cause of the collision remains unclear, but investigators have retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the American Airlines plane. According to a press conference on Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the helicopter black box has also been recovered. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has noted that investigators are also examining other factors, such as the helicopter’s altitude and whether the crew was using night vision goggles at the time of the crash. “We anticipate that the investigation will quickly be able to determine whether the aircraft was in the quarter at the right altitude at the time of the incident,” said Sec. Hegseth. (Fox News)

*This is a DEVELOPING story*

Read More: LIVE Updates (CNN)

Maps, videos show area of D.C. plane crash, massive recovery effort (The Washington Post)

Boats return to the Potomac River for DC plane crash recovery and investigation (AP)

Image Credit: AP