Families of 67 killed in US aircraft crash remember loved ones and call for reforms

Families of the 67 people who died in an aircraft collision last January gathered on Wednesday evening to mark the first anniversary, just one day after investigators testified about years of ignored warnings and near-misses.

Family members and politicians spoke Wednesday throughout the music-filled ceremony honoring the victims who died when an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29, 2025, outside of Washington, D.C., marking the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil since 2001.

“While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other,” said Doug Lane, husband of Christine Conrad Lane, 49, and father of aspiring figure skater Spencer Lane, 16, who died in the crash. "So that’s what we did, and that’s what we’ve done ever since.”

The audience packed the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington.

Everyone aboard the helicopter and jet — flying from Wichita, Kansas — died when the two aircrafts collided and plummeted into the icy Potomac River.

There wasn't one single cause for the crash, according to testimony from National Transportation Safety Board investigators on Tuesday during an hourslong hearing.

The crash was “100% preventable," said board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy.

The memorial included musical performances, including country music stars, the D.C. Fire Department Emerald Society's pipes and drums band, and separately, a performance by a firefighter who was there on the night of the crash. The ceremony also included a montage of portraits, graduation pictures, videos taken on sunny vacations and clips of performances from some of the 28 figure skaters who were killed.

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins also announced that a memorial plaque would be established on the Potomac River.

First responders who rushed to the crash — many plunging into the freezing river, first in an attempt to save lives, and then later to search for bodies — were honored Wednesday with metals.

“While this has been my family's worst year, the same is true of many of the first responders who responded on the scene. We recognize the toll this has taken on you, and tonight is our opportunity to say thank you,” said Matt Collins, the brother of passenger Chris Collins, 42.

Many of the family members also attended Tuesday's NTSB hearing. Some were escorted out, including two in tears, as they saw an animation recreating some of the final moments of their loved ones’ lives. Others wore black shirts bearing the names of first responder units.

Testimony Tuesday concluded with recommendations from the NTSB to prevent crashes.

Some reforms rely on Congress, the Army and the Trump administration. Chief among them is a bill that would require aircraft to have advanced locator systems to help prevent collisions, which NTSB has recommended for years. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said at the memorial that the bill was close to final passage.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy applauded the families for their advocacy.

“Obviously you were angry. You couldn't comprehend, how could this happen? Who could let this happen?" Duffy said. “You had choices, and you chose to pay it forward.”

Many families on Wednesday doubled down on the need for reforms.

“Honoring the 67 means more than remembering who they were," said Rachel Feres, the cousin of Peter Livingston, 48, who died along with his wife, Donna Livingston, 48, and their children, Alydia Livingston, 11, and Everly Livingston, 14. "It means allowing their lives and our love for them to shape what we choose to do going forward."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks at an event honoring the 67 lives lost in the 2025 midair collision near DCA airport, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

D.C. Fire Department Pipes and Drums perform at an event honoring the 67 lives lost in the 2025 midair collision near DCA airport, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

First responders accept medals at an event honoring the 67 lives lost in the 2025 midair collision near DCA airport, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Attendees at an event honoring the 67 lives lost in the 2025 midair collision near DCA airport, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

First responders accept medals at an event honoring the 67 lives lost in the 2025 midair collision near DCA airport, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy presides over the NTSB fact-finding hearing on the DCA midair collision accident, at the National Transportation and Safety Board boardroom in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

People attend the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing on the midair aircraft collision that killed 67 people near Washington Reagan National Airport, at the National Transportation and Safety Board boardroom in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

People attend the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing on the midair aircraft collision that killed 67 people near Washington Reagan National Airport, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

BOSTON (AP) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points, Jalen Johnson had 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 117-106 on Wednesday night to avenge a lopsided home loss.

Onyeka Okongwu added 17 points, Dyson Daniels had 15 and Corey Kispert 13 to help the Hawks win their fourth straight.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 21 points. He shot 9 for 20, missing all five of his 3-point attempts.

The Hawks hit 42.9% of their 3-pointers (18 of 42) and had 29 assists on 45 baskets. Boston was 9 of 34 from beyond the arc.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder was asked before the game if his team would remember a 132-106 loss at home Jan. 17 in the clubs’ last meeting. He replied: “You want to feel it.”

It looked like his team did from the start. They were locked in defensively, opening a 21-point lead late in the opening quarter on Alexander-Walker’s 3-pointer.

They held a 60-38 edge on Kispert’s 3 from the top in the second quarter before Boston closed the first half with an 8-0 spree.

The Celtics made a few brief spurts in the second half but didn’t reduce their deficit below 12 points. Coach Joe Mazzulla removed most of his starters and many fans headed for the exits with the Celtics trailing 115-96 with 4 ½ minutes left.

Former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis, part of Boston’s 2024 NBA title-winning team who was traded to the Hawks during the offseason as Boston worked for salary flexibility toward the tax line, remained sidelined with left Achilles tendinitis and wasn’t on the trip.

Hawks: Host Houston on Thursday night.

Celtics: Host Sacramento on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) goes up for a layup during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown loses possession of the ball wile being guarded by Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) passes over Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) fouls Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)