A young college student from Kansas is among the victims of a horrific mid-air collision involving an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Grace Maxwell, 20, from Wichita, was returning to Cedarville University in Ohio after attending her grandfather’s funeral in Kansas.
She was aboard Flight 5342, which crashed into the military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, January 29, 2025.
Grace’s father, Dean Maxwell, confirmed to The Wichita Eagle that his daughter was one of the 60 passengers on the American Airlines flight.
She had been studying biomedical engineering and was set to graduate in 2026. Tragically, both aircraft plummeted into the river, and authorities believe there were no survivors among the 67 people on board.
The crash also claimed the lives of three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk.
Grace’s university, Cedarville, has expressed its condolences, and her advisor described her as a “quiet person with a keen interest in helping others through engineering.”

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The university community is devastated by her loss, and a memorial service is scheduled for January 31.
The crash has left families and friends in shock, with many still awaiting information.
The airline has set up a helpline for those seeking details about loved ones on board, while the U.S. Coast Guard continues its investigation.
In addition to Grace, the flight carried several other passengers, including U.S. figure skaters, their coaches, and union members.
The crash marks a deeply tragic event, affecting not just a college community, but many families across the country.