Reed Statement on One-Year Anniversary of DCA Midair Collision and Efforts to Improve Air Safety

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) solemnly reflected on the one-year anniversary of the January 29, 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at 8:48 pm near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. The crash took the lives of two Rhode Islanders: Spencer Lane, 16, and his mother, Christine Lane, of Barrington, Rhode Island, who were killed along with several other members of The Skating Club of Boston who were aboard the American Airlines flight. Reed, who attended a special memorial for the victims last night at DAR Constitution Hall, stated:

"One year on, we honor the lives lost, the first responders who sprung into action when tragedy struck, and the progress being made to improve air safety.

"Among those who died were two special Rhode Islanders: Spencer Lane and his mother, Christine Lane, who were returning from a figure skating event in Kansas. The greater Barrington community and the tight-knit skating community continues to feel the loss of such kind, talented, caring, and hard-working people whose example continues to inspire and uplift. It was moving to hear Doug Lane, husband of Christine, and father of Spencer, speak last night about the tragedy and the courage and compassion of all the surviving families as they work to assist and support others.

"This was a tragedy that never should have happened in the first place. Systemic failures in airspace design, safety oversight, and risk management by the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Army contributed to this horrific accident. The work continues to enhance safety for the flying public, not just around the airspace at DCA, but at all airports."

The National Transportation Safety Board has made 33 safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration, 8 to the U.S. Army, and additional recommendations to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Reed is a cosponsor of a bipartisan U.S. Senate amendment to honor the victims of the midair crash.

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