Arrests Made After Alleged Leak of Airplane Crash Footage

Two airport workers have been arrested for allegedly leaking footage of a catastrophic air crash in Washington, D.C. to CNN.

Key Takeaways

Two Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority employees were arrested for allegedly leaking surveillance footage of a deadly midair collision to CNN.
The crash involved a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, resulting in 67 fatalities.
Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, and Jonathan Savoy, 45, face misdemeanor charges of computer trespass.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, with recovery efforts ongoing.
The incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in over 20 years.

Arrests Made in Connection with Leaked Footage

Following the tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, two employees of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) have been arrested. The individuals, identified as Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, 21, and Jonathan Savoy, 45, are accused of leaking surveillance footage of the crash to CNN. Both men have been charged with computer trespass, a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia.

The leaked footage provided a chilling new perspective on the collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet over the Potomac River. The incident, which occurred on January 30, 2025, claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard both aircraft, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States in over two decades.

Following their arrests, Mbengue was released on his own recognizance, while Savoy was released on a summons. Mbengue’s arraignment has been postponed, giving him until May 2 to secure legal representation.

Reagan airport employees arrested for allegedly leaking video of DC plane crash https://t.co/IDsP0qGrM0

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 4, 2025

Ongoing Investigation and Recovery Efforts

As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the cause of the crash, recovery efforts are in full swing. Authorities have successfully recovered and identified the remains of 55 victims and are confident they will locate all of the deceased. Crews are working tirelessly to remove the wreckage of both the jet and helicopter from the Potomac River, a process that is crucial for piecing together the events leading up to the collision.

The MWAA, created by Congress to operate Reagan National and Dulles International airports, is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Impact on Victims’ Families

The crash has had a profound impact on the families of the victims. During a CNN interview, anchor Kaitlan Collins became visibly emotional while speaking with a man who lost his wife and daughter in the crash, underscoring the human toll of this tragedy.