There were no survivors after a collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, DC.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we give you the latest news on the tragedy and tell you what we know about the passengers on board each aircraft. We also share our interview with Dave Mehaffie, a Kettering man who served nine months in prison for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capital and was recently pardoned by President Trump.

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The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 3 seconds to read.

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The Latest: Collision between passenger jet and Army helicopter near DC leaves no survivors

Officials are continuing to investigate the midair crash between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter

• Who was killed? The plane had four crew members and 60 passengers, including one local university student, more than a dozen figure skaters and two Chinese nationals. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter.

• Crowded airspace: Airline experts said the airspace around Reagan Airport can be a problem for even experienced pilots, navigating hundreds of commercial planes, military aircraft and restricted areas. The previous day, a different jet had to execute a “go-around” maneuver due to a helicopter in the area.

• Cause of the crash: The exact cause of the crash is unknown. Investigators from the Air Line Pilots Association and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating but warned that the investigation has to have time to do its work.

• Local student: Cedarville University said that Grace Maxwell, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering, was a passenger on the plane, on her way back to campus from her home in Wichita, Kansas.

• Presidential response: Though the investigation has just started, President Donald Trump blamed the crash, without evidence, on diversity hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration, drawing sharp criticism. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump was spewing conspiracy theories, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that Trump should be “leading, not lying.”

Kettering man convicted for Jan. 6 actions feels vindicated, hopes ‘narrative will change’

A 65-year-old Kettering man who served nine months in prison for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol said he feels vindicated after he was among the roughly 1,500 criminal defendants to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump earlier this month.

• Dave Mehaffie: He is a local builder who used to own a gym in Dayton’s Belmont business district.

• The charges: Mehaffie was convicted of felony charges of aiding and abetting in assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers and interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. He was also convicted of misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and aiding and abetting in committing an act of violence in the Capitol building or grounds.

• What federal prosecutors said: “What he provided was leadership,” said Jocelyn Bond, assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, during the closing arguments in Mehaffie’s criminal trial. “He provided leadership to a chaotic and violent and unruly mob.”

• Criminal case: Mehaffie was sentenced to 14 months in prison but was released on New Year’s Eve of 2023 after serving nine months.

• Trump pardons: President Trump earlier this month granted “full, complete and unconditional” pardons to roughly 1,500 defendants who were charged and convicted of criminal offenses related to Jan. 6.

• Mehaffie’s story: Mehaffie said he never did and never would lay a finger on law enforcement who were protecting the Capitol. Mehaffie claims he tried to get the crowd in the tunnel to calm down and sit down because he was worried about their safety and the safety of police officers.

• What he is saying: “The narrative was, ‘Wild-eyed, pitchforked hillbillies were there because their fascist leader told them to be there.’ That’s ridiculous and needs to change, and I believe it is.”

• Grateful: Mehaffie said he’s grateful for the pardon because it means he regains his rights to vote and own a gun.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: The Dayton Art Institute is facing financial headwinds this year following five straight years of budgets in the red.

• Tip of the day: How to help a Fairborn church teach English as a Second Language and GED/HSE classes to the community.

• Person to know today: Paul “Bucky” Walters, who worked decades as a boys basketball coach and athletic director in Springfield, will be inducted posthumously into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Ohio State Buckeyes: Here are 6 things to know about the 2025 team.

• Dayton eats: Whisperz Speakeasy, a prohibition-era-style cocktail lounge, is opening its doors Feb. 14 in West Carrollton.

• Stat of the day: The Ohio State department of athletics reported $254,933,664 in revenue but lost $37.7 million for the 2024 fiscal year.

• Things to do: Here are 10 shows that can be found across Dayton-area stages in February.