Nationwide — 30-year-old Kiah Duggins, an African American law professor at Howard University and a Harvard Law graduate, was among the victims of a devastating midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash, which occurred Wednesday evening over the Potomac River, claimed the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft, leaving no survivors, according to officials.Howard University President Ben Vinson III released a statement confirming Duggins’ passing, calling it a profound loss for the university and its law school. He asked for privacy and respect for her family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. Duggins had recently joined Howard’s faculty and was recognized for her legal work, particularly in civil rights litigation and social justice advocacy.
A Kansas native, Duggins had previously worked for the Civil Rights Corps, where she challenged unconstitutional policing and money bail practices across multiple states. She also collaborated with the ACLU of Northern California and other organizations to address police misconduct. Before earning her law degree at Harvard, she completed a Fulbright grant in Taiwan and obtained her undergraduate degrees from Wichita State University.
Duggins’ impact extended beyond the legal field. She was a two-time winner of the Miss Butler County pageant and a top finalist in the Miss Kansas Pageant. Larry Strong, her former pageant director, described her as a remarkable individual with a passion for justice and education, urging the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
The crash occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701 carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided midair with an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission. Investigators say the jet, traveling at approximately 140 miles per hour, suddenly lost altitude and struck the helicopter at around 300 feet. The collision triggered a catastrophic explosion over the river.
Emergency teams have so far recovered 28 bodies from the wreckage as the search for victims continues. Federal authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are actively investigating the cause of the crash. Air traffic control recordings captured stunned reactions as controllers realized the tragedy unfolding in real time.
The loss of Duggins, along with the other passengers and crew, has left the Howard University community and many others mourning. Her legacy as a dedicated professor, advocate, and leader in the fight for justice will not be forgotten.