ADVERTISEMENTs
-10”-x-5.png)
Two Indian-origin people among victims of DC plane crash
The accident, which marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the US since 2001, claimed the lives of all passengers and crew members on board both aircraft.
Search and rescue teams work near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 31, 2025. / REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Two Indian-origin individuals were among the 67 people killed in midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Jan. 29.
The accident, which marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the US since 2001, claimed the lives of all passengers and crew members on board both aircraft.
Among the victims was 26-year-old Asra Hussain Raza, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant. A daughter of Indian immigrants, she graduated with honors from Indiana University in 2020 and married her college sweetheart in August 2023. Her father-in-law, Dr. Hashim Raza, confirmed her death to CNN.
"She went out of her way for everybody," Raza said, recalling how she often checked in on him after his late emergency room shifts to ensure he stayed awake on his drive home. She frequently traveled between Washington and Wichita for work on a hospital turnaround project.
Another victim identified was Vikesh Patel, a GE Aerospace employee from Greater Cincinnati. Patel, who had worked with the company for over a decade.
In a statement to FOX19 NOW, Larry Culp, chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, expressed condolences: “This is a tragedy not only for our industry but also for the GE Aerospace team as one of our cherished colleagues, Vikesh Patel, was onboard the flight. Our hearts are with his family and all those impacted by this horrific accident.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Patel had recently transitioned to the role of MRO Transformational Leader, a position that required extensive travel across the country. He previously held several leadership roles, including Senior Operations Manager and Site Leader.
Crash and investigation
American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three US Army soldiers while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The impact sent both aircraft plummeting into the icy waters of the Potomac River, killing all on board.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with aviation and military officials working to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the fatal collision.
An FAA official told Reuters the agency was barring most helicopters from parts of two routes near the airport and only allowing police and medical helicopters in the area between the airport and nearby bridges, pending a complete evaluation. It was not clear how long those restrictions would last.
The National Transportation Safety Board is studying the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the CRJ700 airplane, which carried 60 passengers and four crew members, all of whom perished in the crash. The three members of the helicopter crew also died.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
.jpeg)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login