U.S. Figure Skating Team, Their Family Members and Coaches Were Aboard Plane That Crashed in D.C.

Source: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / Getty

Authorities continue to piece together the tragic events that led to last night’s deadly crash, and American Airlines is addressing the public as details emerge about those on board.

Officials are confirming that there are no survivors after the regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter collided mid-air near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday.

RELATED: No Survivors In Mid-Air Collision Involving Passenger Jet, Black Hawk Helicopter

The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members en route from Wichita, Kansas.

Three soldiers on a training mission were aboard the helicopter. Figure skaters, their coaches and family members were passengers on the American Airlines jet, returning from a developmental camp that followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

“U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C.,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”

As of early Thursday morning, a total of 28 bodies have been recovered: 27 from the jet and one from the helicopter. The Pentagon has joined in the investigation, and a cause for the crash remains unknown.

The last confirmed airplane collision occurred in 2009 in Buffalo, New York, when a Colgan Air flight crashed on landing, resulting in the death of 50 people. Wednesday’s collision was the deadliest since an American Airlines flight crashed in Charlotte, North Carolina after takeoff in November 2001.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow and concern for the passengers on both the plane and helicopter, crew and their loved ones.

”We’re absolutely heartbroken for the family and loved ones of the passengers and crew members and also for those that were on the military aircraft,” Isom told reporters.

, Authorities continue to piece together the tragic events that led to last night’s deadly crash, and American Airlines is addressing the public as details emerge about those on board. Officials are confirming that there are no survivors after the regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter collided mid-air near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday. RELATED:, , Read More, App Feed, Entertainment, News, Newsletter, News Archives – Black America Web, [#item_full_content].