(NewsNation) — A military helicopter involved in a collision with an American Airlines regional passenger jet near Washington, D.C., was conducting “an annual required night evaluation,” according to Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth, who was sworn in as secretary Jan. 25, added in a video statement that the helicopter was flown by a “fairly experienced crew” wearing night-vision goggles.
Hegseth said relatives of the crew members aboard the helicopter have not yet been notified.
American Eagle Flight 5342 was en route Wednesday from Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard when it collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk carrying three soldiers. Both aircraft went into the icy Potomac River, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation.
At least 28 bodies were recovered from the scene Thursday morning. Officials said 27 bodies were recovered from the jet and one was pulled from the helicopter. Officials in D.C. fear there are no survivors.
Hegseth announced in a post on X that the Pentagon and Army “immediately” launched an investigation into the collision, calling the incident “absolutely tragic.”
“Search and rescue efforts still ongoing,” he said, adding, “Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families.”
Hegseth said aviation operations from the U.S. Army in D.C. are on a 48-hour operational pause as the crash is reviewed.
“We anticipate that the investigation will quickly be able to determine whether the aircraft was in the quarter and the right altitude at the time of the incident,” he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is part of an investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board. The FAA said it will quickly do what is necessary based on the evidence the probe uncovers.
NewsNation’s digital producer Michael Ramsey, correspondent Tom Dempsey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.