Anxiety over flying has been rising as more plane crashes occur in 2025. In D.C. the worst air disaster happened in over two decades with the collision of a military helicopter with a commercial plane. A medical jet had crashed into a neighborhood in Philadelphia. Another jet flipped upside down at a Toronto Airport. It is only March and there have been over 74 deaths due to plane crashes already leaving many families mourning.
According to the data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there has been 87 aviation accidents in the U.S. this year so far. There were 62 accidents in January and 25 in February. The plane crash outside of Washington Reagan National Airport with the most casualties, had 67 deaths with everyone on board. Both aircrafts crashed into the Potomac River near a community.
“The crash, as far as I know, occurred around two o’clock in the morning. So I was still asleep, but after I woke up around four to get ready for work, I heard it on the news, and when I got into work, I actually happened to work quite close to where the crash occurred. And so we pulled in, we checked into the base, and the first thing that I really that stuck out to me was the smell of the fuel. And so that was that really stuck with me, but so I just went into work, and we actually drove closer to where the crash was on the water. And at that time, there was several helicopters and a large amount of boats just running through the water and just checking to see what they could salvage.” Will Nearman, a worker near the river had said.
In 2024, there were 123 aviation accidents with 18 fatal incidents. Between January 1, 2024, and February 19, 2024, the plane crashes never had more than 6 people on board. That year, there were a total of 1,415 aviation accidents including 257 fatal accidents. Of the 179 fatal incidents, there were a total of 306 deaths. As thought it seems that there are more crashes occurring in 2025, it has been that way however, it seems worse due to there being larger aircrafts involved. That being said, increases the perception that there are more with videos showing concerns of these crashes.
“Seeing the wreckage that affects you. We’re so far removed from that throughout our day, and then when you see it happen, it definitely hits home later on. I discovered that I actually did know someone on the flight, so that definitely hit me a lot harder once I discovered that.” Nearman said.
Further news companies have dedicated articles to honor the 67 people on the flight. Including many families. The two black hawk pilots and many skaters with their coaches.
“Because of the person I knew who had went down with the flight, there was a lot of support and love shown to the family members that lost their their dad. So I would say it drew people together that came together to support those who lost loved ones.” Nearman said.
