Kiah Duggins, a 30-year-old law professor at Howard University School of Law, tragically lost her life in a midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport.
The crash, which took place Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, 2025 over the Potomac River, killed all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft.
The incident, which is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), occurred when American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701 with 64 passengers and crew, collided with the military helicopter, which was on a training mission. Preliminary reports indicate the aircrafts collided at approximately 300 feet in the air, triggering a catastrophic explosion. 28 bodies have been recovered thus far, with search operations continuing.
Kiah Duggins: A Rising Star in Civil Rights and Legal Education
Duggins, who was known for her commitment to civil rights and social justice, was an advocate for criminal justice reform and police accountability. Before joining Howard University’s law faculty, Duggins worked for the Civil Rights Corps, challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices across the country. Her efforts also included collaborations with organizations like the ACLU of Northern California to address police misconduct.
Duggins had earned her law degree from Harvard University and previously completed a Fulbright fellowship in Taiwan. She also held dual undergraduate degrees from Wichita State University. Her academic and legal career had been marked by an unwavering commitment to justice, earning her respect in the legal community.
Howard University Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Educator
Howard University President Ben Vinson III confirmed Duggins’ passing, issuing a statement of condolence to the university community. He emphasized the profound loss of a dedicated educator and passionate advocate for justice who had a lasting impact on her students and the broader community.
“Kiah was a scholar, a mentor, and an advocate who represented the very best of what it means to be a Howard University professor,” Vinson said in the statement. “Her untimely passing leaves a hole in our community that will never be filled.”
Crash Details and Ongoing Investigation
The midair collision occurred when the American Airlines jet, flying at around 140 miles per hour, lost altitude and struck the helicopter at about 300 feet.
The force of the impact caused both aircrafts to explode over the river. Emergency response teams are continuing recovery efforts, with federal authorities working diligently to determine the exact cause of the crash.
While the NTSB investigation is still in its early stages, initial air traffic control recordings indicate the shock and confusion of the crash as it unfolded in real-time. Federal authorities are also investigating potential factors that contributed to the accident, including whether the weather or human error played a role.
Kiah Duggins’ Legacy in Legal Advocacy
Duggins’ impact as a civil rights attorney and legal educator will be remembered by those who knew her. Her work challenging unconstitutional policing practices, particularly in connection with money bail and criminal justice reform, helped to shift public discourse around these critical issues. Her legacy will continue through the lives of her students, colleagues, and the ongoing legal work she championed.
Larry Strong, her former pageant director, who knew Duggins as both a pageant contestant and a passionate advocate for justice, described her as “a remarkable individual with a deep commitment to social justice.”
