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A memorial bench and plaques honoring the 67 people killed in the midair collision at Reagan National Airport will be installed along the Potomac River in Alexandria, officials announced Thursday on the one-year anniversary of the crash.
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins said the memorial will be placed in Rivergate City Park, overlooking the river near where American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided on Jan. 29, 2025. The plaques will bear the names of all 67 victims.
Wreckage from the crash landed in the Potomac just off Alexandria’s shoreline, and city first responders were among those who rushed to the scene that night.
“The 67 lives lost on Flight 5342 and the U.S. Army helicopter were far more than a number. They were parents and children, partners and friends, colleagues and neighbors — people who carried dreams, responsibilities, laughter, and love,” Beyer said. “Their journeys ended far too soon, and their absence leaves a silence no words can fill. As we continue to build on our federal response to ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again, this memorial is one step toward honoring those we lost. This memorial will provide a space for remembrance and reflection, to carry the memory of those we lost forward with dignity and care.”
The crash killed 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the regional jet, along with three Army soldiers in the helicopter. The flight was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, and was on approach to the airport when the collision occurred.
“Alexandria will always hold those we lost on Flight 5342 and PAT 25 — and their loved ones — in our hearts, and it is my hope that this memorial will fulfill that promise,” Gaskins said. “This memorial bearing the names of all 67 individuals who lost their lives on that horrible day will be placed along the banks of the Potomac River, a peaceful setting where water moves steadily forward. It will serve as a place for quiet reflection, remembrance, and healing.”
Officials did not announce a timeline for the installation of the memorial.
