Washington, D.C. – The heartbreaking final moments of Asra Hussain, one of the victims of the devastating mid-air collision between an American Eagle regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, have come to light. Just minutes before the fatal crash that claimed 67 lives, including hers, Asra sent a haunting final text to her husband, Hamaad Raza, completely unaware of the disaster that was about to unfold.

The 26-year-old had messaged her husband from American Eagle Flight 5342, stating, “We are landing in 20 minutes,” as the aircraft approached its destination at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening. Tragically, that message would be the last communication she ever sent.

Her husband, Hamaad Raza, 25, shared that he sent several replies to her message, only to later realize that she never received them. A video surfaced of Raza explaining his disbelief, stating, “I kept checking my phone, waiting for her response. When the news broke about the crash, my heart just sank.”

The Catastrophic Mid-Air Collision

The tragic accident unfolded at approximately 7:52 PM ET on Wednesday night, just miles from the airport runway. American Eagle Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, was on final approach from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided mid-air with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter conducting a routine training exercise.

The impact resulted in a catastrophic explosion, sending debris hurtling into the Potomac River below. The regional jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was instantly torn apart, with large sections plunging into the water. The Black Hawk helicopter, which had three crew members aboard, was also completely destroyed.

Victims of the Tragic Crash

Authorities have now confirmed that there were no survivors from either aircraft. The crash claimed the lives of 67 individuals, including:

Passengers on American Eagle Flight 5342:

• Asra Hussain, 26 – Wife of Hamaad Raza, who sent a final text before the crash
• Everly Livingston, 17, and Lydia Livingston, 15 – Promising figure skaters from Virginia
• Spencer Lane, 20 – U.S. figure skating national competitor
• Jinna Han, 18 – Ice dancer from California
• Edward Zhou, 22 – Pair skater from New York
• Franco Aparicio, 19 – Competitive skater from Texas
• Sean Kay, 23 – Junior Grand Prix competitor
• Angela Yang, 21 – Member of the U.S. national figure skating team
• Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov – Former world champion Russian pair skaters and coaches
• Inna Volyanskaya, 55 – Russian coach and former professional skater
• Danasia Elder, 31 – Flight attendant on Flight 5342
• Ian Epstein, 28 – Flight attendant on Flight 5342
• Captain Jonathan Campos, 34 – Pilot of Flight 5342
• First Officer Samuel Lilley, 29 – Co-pilot of Flight 5342

Crew of the U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter:

• Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves – Pilot of Black Hawk PAT25
• Ryan O’Hara, 32 – Crew chief on board the helicopter, leaves behind a wife and a 1-year-old son
• Captain Michael Donovan, 35 – Co-pilot and decorated Army veteran

A Devastating Loss for Families and Communities

The crash has sent shockwaves through multiple communities, particularly in the world of competitive figure skating, aviation, and military personnel. Many of the passengers on Flight 5342 were athletes and coaches returning from the National Development Camp following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.

U.S. Figure Skating released a statement mourning the loss of their athletes and coaches, saying, “We are devastated beyond words. These were some of the brightest talents in figure skating, and their loss is immeasurable.”

The military community also grieved the loss of Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves and Crew Chief Ryan O’Hara. The Pentagon issued a statement confirming that the helicopter was on a routine night training flight when the collision occurred. “We mourn the loss of three brave servicemen who dedicated their lives to protecting our country.”

Final Moments and The Investigation

Federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the mid-air collision.

According to preliminary data, the Black Hawk helicopter was operating in restricted airspace, and air traffic controllers had given Flight 5342 clearance to land moments before impact. Investigators are now reviewing cockpit voice recordings and flight data to reconstruct the final seconds before the crash.

Experts are considering several possible causes:

1. Miscommunication between air traffic control and the pilots of both aircraft
2. Potential technical failures in transponder signals
3. Restricted airspace navigation errors
4. Human error in judgment regarding clearance to land

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the two aircraft flying dangerously close to each other before the collision. One witness, David Reynolds, a retired pilot, described the moment of impact: “I saw the jet coming in low, then suddenly there was this massive fireball. It was horrifying.”

A Husband’s Heartbreak: The Last Message That Was Never Read

For Hamaad Raza, the pain of losing his wife is beyond words. Asra Hussain was flying back home to Washington, D.C., after a business trip.

“She was excited to come home. She told me she would land in 20 minutes, and then she never did,” he said through tears.

The couple had been married for two years and had plans to start a family. “She had her whole life ahead of her,” Raza added.

Memorial Services and Tributes

Families and friends of the victims are gathering for vigils and memorial services across the country. A national memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, where relatives of the victims, public officials, and members of the skating and military communities will come together to honor the lives lost.

Howard University, where Kiah Duggins, another victim of the crash, was set to become a professor, has announced plans to establish a scholarship in her name to support aspiring educators.

Aviation Disaster of Historic Proportions

With 67 confirmed fatalities, the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and Black Hawk PAT25 is the deadliest aviation disaster on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg issued a statement, calling for “a thorough investigation and immediate action to ensure this never happens again.”

President Joe Biden also expressed his condolences, stating, “This is a national tragedy, and we grieve for every life lost. My administration is committed to supporting the families affected and finding answers.”

Conclusion

Asra Hussain’s final text to her husband is a heartbreaking reminder of the suddenness of tragedy. She, along with 66 others, lost their lives in a disaster that has left families, communities, and an entire nation in mourning.

As investigations continue, the search for answers remains critical in preventing another catastrophe of this scale. For now, families like Hamaad Raza’s must grapple with unimaginable loss, holding on to the final words of their loved ones—words sent in hope but never answered.