Attorney killed in American Airlines crash had switched flights on his birthday
Tragic twist as lawyer changed travel plans before fatal plane accident
A devastating plane crash over Washington, D.C., has left 67 people dead after an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The tragic incident, which occurred Wednesday night, has been described as “preventable” by President Donald Trump.
The disaster unfolded when American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers on a training mission. The impact sent the commercial jet plummeting into the Potomac River, leaving no survivors.
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the cause of the crash, though early reports suggest a possible communication failure between air traffic controllers and the helicopter.
President Trump weighed in on the incident, calling it a “bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” He criticized the response from air traffic control and questioned why the helicopter did not alter its path.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed similar concerns, stating in a Thursday morning press conference, “Based on what we know so far, do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.”
This is Cincinnati native Elizabeth Keys. Her family said her birthday was Jan. 29, the same day she got on American Eagle Flight 5342. Her partner told us she was on a work trip when the plane crashed before arriving in D.C., killing her and 66 others. https://t.co/4Xq4kgxRC3 pic.twitter.com/ZFzSqtS52L
— WCPO 9 (@WCPO) January 31, 2025
Remembering the victims
Among those who lost their lives were several well-known names in the figure skating community, including:
- Everly, 14, and Alydia, 11, known as the “Ice Skating Sisters” on social media.
- Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, the 1994 World Champion pair skaters.
Another victim whose story has deeply touched many is Elizabeth Keys, a Washington-based attorney who tragically died on her 33rd birthday. Elizabeth had reportedly switched to an earlier flight to celebrate the occasion with her long-term boyfriend.
Her family described her as a “warm, generous woman” who had a sharp wit and a love for bringing people together. Elizabeth was a Tufts University graduate and later earned her law degree from Georgetown University in 2020.
“She loved deeply and was deeply loved,” her family wrote in a statement. “Her hugs were wonderful.”
What’s next?
The NTSB continues to examine what led to this catastrophic event, focusing on air traffic control communication, weather conditions, and pilot response times. Officials are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks.
As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns the 67 lives lost in one of the worst U.S. aviation disasters in decades. Families, friends, and communities are left grieving as they await answers.
May the victims rest in peace.
