2025 will go down in the history of American aviation as a year of contrasts. While millions of passengers thronged airports and broke travel records, a series of plane crashes shook public perceptions of safety in the skies. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have reiterated that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, the accidents this year—some of a magnitude unseen in decades—left a trail of mourning, open investigations, and unanswered questions. These are, in chronological order, the five plane crashes that marked the United States in 2025. Plane crash in Washington, D.C.: 67 dead. January 29. The deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades occurred in the heart of the nation's political power. American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River during its final approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport. All 64 people aboard the commercial airliner and the three helicopter crew members were killed, bringing the total death toll to 67. The collision occurred at an altitude of approximately 300 feet (90 meters) on a clear night, intensifying the debate over coordination between civilian and military flights in congested airspace. President Donald Trump called the incident “preventable,” while the NTSB launched a comprehensive investigation that includes air traffic control communications, flight paths, and safety protocols. The disaster became a turning point for commercial aviation in the US.

Medical plane crashes in Philadelphia: seven dead

January 31

Just two days later, another accident shook the country again.A Learjet 55 used for medical evacuation crashed shortly after takeoff in a residential area of ??Philadelphia.

Six Mexican nationals traveling on board died, along with one person on the ground. At least 23 others were injured when the impact caused an explosion that set several homes ablaze.

The accident brought medical flight operations, which often take off in emergency conditions and with tight operational margins, under scrutiny. The scale of the damage on the ground made the crash one of the most devastating of the year outside of scheduled commercial aviation.

Missing Alaskan plane found at sea

February 7

The third major accident of 2025 occurred in one of the most hostile environments for aviation: Alaska. A Bering Air regional airline flight disappeared, and a day later, its wreckage was found off the coast in Norton Sound. All ten people on board died after a sudden drop in altitude. Preliminary radar data indicated a rapid loss of speed, while initial reports suggested the possibility of the aircraft being overloaded, a factor that investigators continue to analyze. The crash once again highlighted the risks of flying in remote regions, where extreme weather and infrastructure limitations increase operational challenges. Tourist helicopter crashes into the Hudson River. April 10. In the heart of New York City, a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing six people, including three children. The aircraft, operated by New York Helicopters, was carrying a Spanish family from Barcelona and the pilot. The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife and their three children, aged between 4 and 11, as well as the 36-year-old pilot. The flight had taken off from the Wall Street Heliport and had been in the air for only 15 minutes when the accident occurred. The tragedy reignited the debate about the safety of tourist flights in densely populated urban areas, as well as the regulation of this type of operation in cities like New York. UPS Cargo Plane Crashes in Kentucky November 5 The last major accident of the year occurred near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, when a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed during takeoff. Authorities indicated that at least 14 people died and more than 10 were injured. It was learned that one of the injured victims died more than a month after the incident, bringing the death toll to 15.Surveillance images showed that the left engine detached from the wing shortly after the aircraft began its takeoff roll, the NTSB confirmed. The subsequent explosion damaged nearby facilities, including industrial businesses, and prompted a large-scale emergency response. The governor of Kentucky expressed regret over the situation, while an investigation into possible structural or maintenance failures was launched. Air safety under scrutiny. Several small aircraft in the United States were also involved in accidents in 2025, including a Cessna Citation II that crashed in San Diego, killing all six people on board in May. Just days before the end of the year, on December 28, a collision between two helicopters in New Jersey left one person dead. Despite the severity of these accidents, authorities insist that aviation remains safe. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, has reiterated that the greatest risk to passengers remains on the ground journey to the airport, not the flight itself. However, the 2025 crashes prompted revisions to protocols, increased regulatory pressure, and renewed scrutiny of manufacturers, operators, and air traffic control systems. Record travel despite the tragedies. Paradoxically, 2025 was also a record-breaking year for travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded days with more than 3.1 million passengers screened in a single day, an all-time record. Airlines reported unprecedented holiday seasons, and AAA projected more than 122 million Americans traveling during the year-end holidays. Between congested skies and tragedies that dominated the news, American aviation closed out 2025 with an uncomfortable certainty: flying remains safe, but every accident serves as a reminder that zero risk does not exist.A collision between two helicopters in New Jersey left one person dead. Despite the severity of these accidents, authorities insist that aviation remains safe. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, has reiterated that the greatest risk to passengers continues to be on the ground to the airport, not in the flight itself. Nevertheless, the 2025 crashes prompted revisions to protocols, increased regulatory pressure, and renewed scrutiny of manufacturers, operators, and air traffic control systems. Record travel despite the tragedies. Paradoxically, 2025 was also a record year for travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded days with more than 3.1 million passengers screened in a single day, an all-time record. Airlines reported unprecedented holiday seasons, and AAA projected more than 122 million Americans traveling during the year-end holidays. Between congested skies and tragedies that dominated the news, American aviation closed out 2025 with an uncomfortable certainty: flying remains safe, but every accident serves as a reminder that zero risk does not exist.A collision between two helicopters in New Jersey left one person dead. Despite the severity of these accidents, authorities insist that aviation remains safe. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, has reiterated that the greatest risk to passengers continues to be on the ground to the airport, not in the flight itself. Nevertheless, the 2025 crashes prompted revisions to protocols, increased regulatory pressure, and renewed scrutiny of manufacturers, operators, and air traffic control systems. Record travel despite the tragedies. Paradoxically, 2025 was also a record year for travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recorded days with more than 3.1 million passengers screened in a single day, an all-time record. Airlines reported unprecedented holiday seasons, and AAA projected more than 122 million Americans traveling during the year-end holidays. Between congested skies and tragedies that dominated the news, American aviation closed out 2025 with an uncomfortable certainty: flying remains safe, but every accident serves as a reminder that zero risk does not exist.