Washington, D.C. – Two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) have been arrested for allegedly leaking surveillance footage of last week’s catastrophic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Authorities charged 21-year-old Mohamed Lamine Mbengue of Rockville, Maryland, and 45-year-old Jonathan Savoy of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with computer trespass for unauthorized copying of records.
The arrests follow the leak of exclusive video footage obtained by CNN, capturing a clearer and more dramatic view of the tragic accident over the Potomac River.
Shocking Footage of Deadly Collision
The midair collision on Wednesday night involved a Black Hawk military helicopter and an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board.
The leaked footage, reportedly recorded on mobile phones, shows the Black Hawk helicopter moving rapidly from the left as the American Airlines jet approaches the airport. Another clip depicts both aircraft on a collision course before impact, followed by a fiery explosion.
Legal Action and Arrests
Mbengue was taken into custody on Friday and later released from Arlington County Adult Detention Center, while Savoy was charged on Sunday and issued a magistrate’s summons before being let go.
The MWAA, which oversees Reagan National and Dulles International airports, has not provided further details on the case.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts Continue
Officials have begun retrieving wreckage from the downed American Airlines jet, with most victims’ remains recovered from the icy waters. The next phase of recovery will focus on retrieving the Black Hawk helicopter.
Among the victims were Army Capt. Rebecca Lobach, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, and Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, who were on board the Black Hawk. The American Airlines flight included over a dozen individuals linked to the figure skating community, adding to the tragedy’s emotional toll.
Authorities are continuing investigations into both the cause of the collision and the unauthorized release of security footage.
