Mom reveals it was lawyer daughter's birthday when she died in DC plane collision as she traveled back from work trip with colleague

Two women who worked unneurotic astatine a Washington DC instrumentality steadfast person been identified arsenic victims of the tragic clang betwixt an American Airlines level and Army helicopter.

Vanderbilt University and Penn Law postgraduate Sarah Lee Best, and her workfellow Elizabeth Keys, some 33, were returning location from Kansas aft completing a deposition.

Ms Keys' parent tragically revealed it was her day connected the time of the fateful crash.

American Airlines formation 5342 was moments from touching down erstwhile it collided with a Black Hawk Army helicopter.

It instantly went up successful flames and some aircrafts crashed into the Potomac River below. Authorities accidental determination are nary survivors.

Sixty passengers were connected committee the flight, arsenic good arsenic 4 unit members. Three soldiers were connected committee the helicopter.

So far, 40 bodies person been pulled from the wreckage. Authorities volition instrumentality connected Friday greeting to proceed the search.

Ms Keys' parent told WKRC her girl was 'a valedictorian and Varsity sailor' who graduated from Georgetown University Law Center.

'She loved profoundly and was profoundly loved. Liz was a warm, generous woman. She was truthful amusive - and funny! Liz had a crisp wit and appreciated it successful others. Gatherings were ever amended erstwhile Liz was there; she was filled with airy and joy.

'Her hugs were wonderful. Elizabeth was beardown and fearless - she embraced beingness astatine afloat speed.'

She is survived by her spouse David Seidman, who her parent described arsenic 'the emotion of her life', and their Yorkie, Tucker.

'Words cannot explicit however profoundly Elizabeth, my Bitsy, volition beryllium missed. We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair astatine our loss,' she said. 

Keys and Best worked unneurotic at Wilkinson Stekloff litigation successful the Washington DC office. 

Founder Beth Wilkinson said: 'We are heartbroken by this unspeakable tragedy. Liz and Sarah were cherished members of our steadfast - fantastic attorneys, colleagues, and friends. 

'Beyond being an fantabulous lawyer, Liz brought fearlessness, humor, and crisp wit to enactment each day, nary substance the mounting oregon circumstances. 

'Sarah joined america conscionable past autumn and rapidly energized america each with her boundless curiosity, kindness, and intelligence. 

'It is hard to ideate the steadfast without them. We are keeping them successful our memories and their families successful our thoughts and prayers.'

On Thursday evening, rescue crews digging done the wreckage managed to recover two achromatic boxes from the waters of the Potomac River. 

This volition beryllium of monumental assistance to authorities arsenic they analyse what precisely happened successful the moments starring to disaster. 

A preliminary study has said that aerial traffic power staffing astatine the airdrome was 'not mean for the clip of time and measurement of traffic. 

Reagan National has been understaffed for galore years, with conscionable 19 afloat certified controllers arsenic of September 2023 - good beneath the people of 30 - according to the astir caller Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan submitted to Congress.

At slightest 40 bodies person since been pulled from the Potomac River following extended betterment missions by exigency teams. 

The bodies of each 4 formation unit members - including 1 who was specified months distant from a promotion and wedding - were besides recovered from the debris connected Thursday. 

The pilots of the American Eagle pitchy were Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed. 

And some formation attendants who were connected that tragic formation person been revealed arsenic Ian Epstein and Danasia Elder. 

In an concern eerily akin to what happened connected Wednesday night, a Republic Airways formation had to abort landing astatine the airdrome connected Tuesday aft a chopper appeared adjacent its formation path.

Flightradar information for the formation shows the level had been travelling from Windsor Locks successful Connecticut to the metropolis and had to dramatically summation altitude soon aft descending connected Reagan National Airport. It yet landed safely.