A grieving father has shared his heartbreak after losing his wife and 12-year-old daughter in the tragic American Airlines Flight 5342 disaster.

On January 29, just before 9 p.m., the PSA Airlines aircraft collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing all aboard. The father, who wishes to remain anonymous, recalled his disbelief upon hearing the news. “I had no idea my family was on that flight until authorities confirmed it,” he said.

His wife and daughter had been returning from visiting relatives. “It still feels surreal,” he shared. “I just want to understand how this happened.”

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, the community has rallied around the grieving father, offering support as he seeks answers and honors his family’s memory.