On January 29, 2025, Crash a devastating mid-air collision occurred between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River. Among the victims was 20-year-old Grace Maxwell, a college student from Wichita, Kansas, who had just attended her grandfather’s funeral.

Grace Maxwell’s Heartbreaking Story

Grace Maxwell, a biomedical engineering student at Cedarville University in Ohio, was returning to school after attending her grandfather, Charles Andrew Winter’s, funeral in Kansas. She boarded American Airlines flight 5342, a regional flight from Wichita, Kansas, unaware that it would end in tragedy. The crash, which took place just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, left 64 people on the plane and three soldiers aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.

Grace’s father, Dean Maxwell, spoke to The Wichita Eagle and shared his heartbreak, explaining that authorities had not yet contacted him about his daughter’s status. He didn’t know if Grace was among the 28 passengers recovered from the Potomac River but confirmed that she was on the flight. American Airlines created a helpline to assist families, and Dean continued to communicate with their Care Team, hoping for updates on his daughter.

A Devastating Loss for Cedarville University

Cedarville University, where Grace was studying mechanical engineering, was shaken by the loss. Grace, who was set to graduate in 2026, was known for her quiet nature and passion for helping others through engineering, according to her secondary advisor, Dr. Tim Norman. The university has expressed deep sympathy for the Maxwell family and announced they would honor Grace during an all-campus chapel program on Friday, January 31. The campus community is mourning the loss of a bright student with a promising future.

A Larger Tragedy: Other Victims on the Flight

Grace was not the only student on the flight. Three other students from Fairfax Public Schools in Virginia were also aboard, along with six parents. In addition, 14 U.S. figure skaters were on the plane, including members of The Skating Club of Boston. Among them were teens Spencer Lane and Jinna Han, their mothers Christine Lane and Jin Han, and coaches Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Sisters Everly and Alydia Livingston, both competitive skaters, were also on the flight.

The crash also claimed the lives of four union members from the Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Local 602 and Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5, as well as four flight attendants. Ian Epstein, Danasia Elder, Sam Lilley, and Jonathan Campos, all dedicated members of the flight crew, lost their lives in the tragic accident.

A Nation in Mourning

This heartbreaking event has left not only the victims’ families in shock but also the wider community in mourning. From students to professionals, athletes, and military personnel, the lives lost in this crash represent a wide range of people, all with unique stories and futures ahead of them. Authorities have confirmed no survivors, and the investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

As the nation grapples with this loss, the families of those affected are being supported by loved ones, including the care teams at American Airlines, which has been assisting relatives with information during this incredibly difficult time.