Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents the Northern Virginia district that includes National Airport (DCA), and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins today announced plans for a memorial bench and plaques bearing the names of the 67 individuals who lost their lives on board American Airlines Flight 5342 and the PAT 25 U.S. Army helicopter in the tragic collision at DCA on January 29, 2025. The memorial will be located in the northeastern portion of Rivergate City Park in Alexandria, along the banks of the Potomac River.

“The 67 lives lost on flight 5432 and the U.S. Army helicopter were far more than a number. They were parents and children, partners and friends, colleagues and neighbors – people who carried dreams, responsibilities, laughter, and love. Their journeys ended far too soon, and their absence leaves a silence no words can fill,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “As we continue to build on our federal response to ensure this kind of tragedy never happens again, this memorial is one step toward honoring those we lost. This memorial will provide a space for remembrance and reflection, to carry the memory of those we lost forward with dignity and care.”

“Alexandria will always hold those we lost on Flight 5342 and PAT 25 – and their loved ones – in our hearts, and it is my hope that this memorial will fulfill that promise,” said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “This memorial bearing the names of all 67 individuals who lost their lives on that horrible day will be placed along the banks of the Potomac River, a peaceful setting where water moves steadily forward. It will serve as a place for quiet reflection, remembrance, and healing.”

Congressman Beyer has consistently championed aviation safety and long advocated for measures to alleviate congested air traffic in Northern Virginia skies. After the tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter, Beyer urged for a safety review and an extended halt of military helicopter training in the airspace around DCA. Beyer also helped secure language requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct an independent safety review of DCA’s airspace, civil-military coordination, and operational safety in the National Capital Region as part of the FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, which passed through the House of Representatives and is currently with the Senate for consideration. Beyer was among the first voices to urge the Trump Administration to adopt the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary recommendations following its investigation of the incident.