Authorities in Washington, D.C. have confirmed the recovery and identification of all 67 individuals involved in last week's tragic midair collision between a commercial airliner and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. This milestone brings a measure of closure to the grieving families and community.

The victims comprised 60 passengers and four crew members aboard American Airlines flight 5342, along with the three occupants of the Black Hawk. Recovery operations have been ongoing at the Potomac River crash site since the incident involving the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and the Bombardier CRJ700, operated by American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines.

Emergency personnel worked diligently to retrieve debris from the Potomac River following the collision. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Preliminary data from the plane's flight data recorder reveals it was flying at approximately 325 feet when struck by the helicopter. The data also suggests a change in the aircraft's pitch just before impact. The NTSB is still analyzing data from the Black Hawk's recorder to reconcile a discrepancy in altitude readings.

Emergency responders assess the wreckage in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

While the investigation continues, determining the precise cause of the crash will require further analysis. A senior Army pilot noted the frequency of military and government helicopter flights along the route where the collision occurred.