Jennifer Homendy

Stories

Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning

Leading investigation and advocacy for safety reforms

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded its investigation into the January 2025 collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River—the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001. All 67 people aboard both aircraft died, including 28 members of the figure skating community returning from a national development camp. The NTSB found the crash was '100% preventable' and issued 50 safety recommendations, with 32 directed at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Updated May 23

Boeing reacquires Spirit AeroSystems to confront a decade of 737 MAX safety and quality crises

Money Moves

Leads investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door‑plug blowout

On December 8, 2025, Boeing completed its $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, valuing the deal at about $8.3 billion including debt. The transaction reversed a 2005 spin‑off that created the world's largest independent aerostructures supplier.

Updated May 10

Notable Quotes

"Deep, underlying systemic failures—system flaws—aligned to create the conditions that led to the devastating tragedy."

from Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning · Updated May 23

"We should be angry, because for years no one listened. This was preventable, this was 100% preventable."

from Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning · Updated May 23

"75 feet, at best, separating a helicopter and civilian aircraft. Nowhere in the airspace is that OK. This shouldn't have existed."

from Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning · Updated May 23

"We have 300 aviation recommendations that still haven't been implemented. Those recommendations were issued because somebody died or was injured, and they have not been implemented yet. So here we are again."

from Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning · Updated May 23

The investigation shows a systemic failure in manufacturing processes and oversight, not an isolated maintenance issue.

from Boeing reacquires Spirit AeroSystems to confront a decade of 737 MAX safety and quality crises · Updated May 10