Officials do not expect to find survivors after an American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed: “We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

The plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it crashed into the Potomac River in three pieces. The cause remains unclear, with investigators relying on black box data from both aircraft.

US Figure Skating confirmed that athletes, coaches, and family members returning from the National Development Camp were on board. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” the organization stated.

At least 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter have been recovered. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed condolences, saying: “This is a difficult day for all of us… our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”

Former President Trump called it a “bad situation” that “should have been prevented.”