Reports are starting to emerge from those mourning the loss of loved ones in the heartbreaking air tragedy that unfolded on Wednesday in Washington DC. The incident involved American Airlines Flight 5342 colliding with a Black Hawk helicopter, leading to the tragic loss of all individuals on board.
One grieving father has bravely shared his story after losing both his wife and 12-year-old daughter in the accident. This devastating event occurred on January 29, just before 9 PM, when a PSA Airlines plane, part of American Airlines, struck a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The flight was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport at the time of the collision.
A plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members tragically crashed into the Potomac River, coinciding with a helicopter incident. Recovery efforts are still underway, but it is feared that everyone on board both the plane and the helicopter did not survive.
Among the victims was a man whose wife and 12-year-old daughter were on the flight. His daughter had previously battled cancer and emerged as a survivor.
Andy Beyer is mourning the loss of his 42-year-old wife, Justyna, and their daughter, Brielle. They were returning to Washington DC after participating in the US Figure Skating National Development Camp.
Reflecting on his daughter, he shared, “She was such a fighter in everything she did. She truly embraced life to the fullest.
“She took immense pride in her figure skating achievements… Making that team was one of her dreams, and she accomplished it. She was incredibly proud of herself.”
Beyer was heading to the airport with his 6-year-old son to greet his wife and daughter when he sensed that something was amiss. He recalled, “When the plane was supposed to land, it hadn’t arrived, and we were unable to send or receive text messages.”
His anxiety heightened upon spotting emergency service vehicles. Eventually, a friend of his, who worked as an air traffic controller, confirmed the unfortunate news of the crash.
He shared, “I didn’t hold out much hope, sadly. We had a heartfelt cry right then and there, and then we had to wait in the family waiting area for hours before we received any official updates on what had truly happened.”
