The cleanup of the tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is set to begin Monday, with teams from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, and the Navy’s salvage unit leading the effort. The operation aims to remove the wreckage of both the jet and the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash, with a target completion date of February 12.

According to officials, the first step will be retrieving the jet’s remains from the Potomac River, a process expected to take about three days. Once that’s done, attention will shift to the helicopter debris. Weather, tides, and other factors could affect the timeline, but the teams are prepared to adjust as needed.

The salvage mission is also tied to the ongoing search for human remains. So far, 55 of the 67 victims have been identified, but freezing water, poor visibility, and dangerous debris have made the recovery challenging. Authorities remain committed, vowing to continue the search until everyone is accounted for. If additional remains are found during the cleanup, operations will pause immediately to ensure a respectful recovery.

Pieces of the aircraft will be transported to a secured hangar for analysis as part of the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has established a safety zone in the Potomac River, restricting access to authorized vessels only.

Families of the victims are described as strong and determined, focused on bringing their loved ones home. As the salvage work begins, the priority remains clear: recovering those lost with dignity while gathering critical evidence to understand what led to this heartbreaking event.