Washington, D.C. – Grace Maxwell, a junior at Cedarville University in Greene County, Ohio, has been identified as one of the victims in the catastrophic midair collision that occurred Wednesday night over the Potomac River. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of all 60 passengers aboard American Eagle Flight 5342 and three U.S. Army personnel aboard a Black Hawk helicopter, has sent shockwaves through communities across the country.

Maxwell, 21, was returning to Cedarville University from her home in Wichita, Kansas, when the flight she was on collided with a military helicopter just minutes before its scheduled landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The impact sent both aircraft spiraling into the river, triggering a massive rescue and recovery effort.

A devoted student majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering, Maxwell was known for her intelligence, kindness, and unwavering dedication to using her skills to help others. Friends and professors describe her as a quiet but deeply compassionate individual who had a passion for problem-solving and innovation in the medical field.

A Promising Future Cut Short

Grace Maxwell was a promising young woman with dreams of advancing biomedical engineering to improve lives. She was deeply involved in research at Cedarville University and had recently begun working on a project to develop assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. Those close to her say she was inspired by a childhood friend who suffered from a neuromuscular disorder, which motivated her to pursue a career in biomedical engineering.

Dr. Matthew Kingston, one of Maxwell’s professors at Cedarville University, spoke about her dedication to the field. “Grace had an incredible mind. She was constantly thinking of ways to improve people’s quality of life. She had a heart for service, and she was determined to use her engineering skills to make a difference in the world. Her loss is a devastating blow not only to our university but to the future of the field she was so passionate about.”

The Final Journey Home

Maxwell had spent her winter break in Wichita, visiting her family before returning to Ohio for the spring semester. Her father, Greg Maxwell, shared in a heartbreaking statement that the last time he saw his daughter was at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, where he hugged her goodbye before she boarded Flight 5342.

“We were talking about her classes, her plans for the semester. She was so excited to get back to school and continue her research,” Greg Maxwell recalled. “I told her to text me when she landed. That text never came.”

Her mother, Diane Maxwell, described Grace as a loving daughter and devoted sister to her two younger siblings. “Grace had a gentle spirit, but she was also fiercely determined,” Diane said. “She wanted to make the world better in her own way. She was working so hard to make her dreams a reality. We can’t believe she’s gone.”

A Devastating Midair Collision

The collision between American Eagle Flight 5342, a regional jet operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter occurred at approximately 7:55 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. According to aviation authorities, the Embraer ERJ-145 jet was on its final approach to Reagan National Airport when it intersected with the flight path of the military helicopter, which was conducting a routine training exercise.

Preliminary reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicate that air traffic controllers attempted to alert both aircraft about the impending danger moments before the collision, but it was too late. The two aircraft crashed at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, creating a fiery explosion that sent debris plummeting into the icy waters of the Potomac.

In addition to the passengers and crew members aboard the commercial flight, three U.S. Army personnel on the Black Hawk were also killed, including Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves and crew chief Ryan O’Hara.

Nationwide Mourning and an Ongoing Investigation

As recovery efforts continue, families, friends, and communities across the country are mourning the loss of their loved ones. Cedarville University held a memorial service for Grace Maxwell on Thursday evening, where students, faculty, and members of the local community gathered to remember the young engineer whose life was tragically cut short.

University President Dr. Thomas White addressed the campus community, saying, “Grace embodied the spirit of Cedarville University—faith, service, and dedication. She had an incredibly bright future, and we are heartbroken by this loss. Our prayers are with her family and all those who are grieving.”

Investigators from the NTSB, FAA, and U.S. military are working to determine the exact cause of the collision. Early reports suggest that issues related to flight path coordination in restricted airspace may have played a role in the accident. Both flight data recorders, also known as black boxes, have been recovered from the wreckage and are being analyzed to piece together the final moments before the crash.

A Legacy of Kindness and Innovation

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating disaster, those who knew Grace Maxwell want to remember her not for how she died, but for how she lived. Her friends and classmates have started an initiative in her honor, working to establish a scholarship in her name for future Cedarville engineering students who share her passion for biomedical innovation.

“She would have wanted us to keep going, to keep working toward something good,” said her close friend and fellow student, Emily Carter. “That’s who she was—always thinking ahead, always caring for others.”

Grace Maxwell’s story is one of promise, dedication, and kindness—a reminder of the lives lost in the tragedy, and of the bright future that was taken too soon. As the investigation continues, her family, friends, and university community will honor her memory and legacy, ensuring that her dream of helping others through engineering lives on.