‘We Are Confident That Grace Is With Jesus’—Cedarville University Mourns Student Killed in Tragic DC Plane Crash

Grace Maxwell Cedarville University
Grace Maxwell screengrab via https://www.cedarville.edu/

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Grace Maxwell, a 20-year-old Cedarville University student, was identified as one of the 64 people who were on the American Airlines flight 5342, which tragically collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The fatal collision took place as the passenger plane was making its landing approach at Reagan National Airport just outside of Washington D.C. The collision resulted in an explosion that sent both the plane and the helicopter into the freezing waters of the Potomac River.

Video footage of the crash shows an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, which was reportedly out on a routine training exercise, flying directly into the American Airlines plane, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.

Everyone on both aircrafts, including Maxwell, is believed to have died.

RELATED: Teen Remembered for His ‘Love for Jesus’ Following Tragic Death on Football Field

As of Friday, Jan. 31, recovery efforts are still underway, as first responders continue to search for the bodies of those who were aboard the plane.

Reports revealed that Maxwell, a junior studying to become a mechanical engineer, was returning to school after going home to attend her grandfather’s funeral in Wichita, Kansas.

In a statement sent out to the students and faculty Cedarville University, university President Dr. Thomas White wrote:

Our hearts are broken. We received news that Grace Maxwell, a Cedarville student, was on board the American Airlines flight that crashed on Wednesday, January 29, in Washington, D.C. Reports state that there were no survivors. This is heartbreaking news for her family and for our campus community. Grace was a junior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering and was anticipating her graduation in 2026. She was returning to campus from her home in Wichita, Kansas. Grace was a resident of Maddox Hall and known to be a thoughtful, quiet student leader. During her college years, she assisted mechanical engineering faculty as a grader, most recently with Dr. Luke Fredette. “Grace was a quiet person with a keen interest in helping others through engineering,” said Dr. Tim Norman, who served as her secondary advisor. Grace was scheduled to serve on a project team this semester that would begin to create a hand-stabilizing device for a differently enabled Dayton boy so he could feed himself rather than relying on others. As it says in Psalm 34, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them and is near the brokenhearted.” Our hearts are broken, but we come together as a family knowing the Lord hears our cries and is near us at this very difficult time. Even though we don’t understand why this has happened, we are confident that Grace is with Jesus Christ. Those of us who believe in Christ will see her again. We grieve, but not as those without hope. In moments like these, we thank God for Jesus and that He will one day make all things news. Even amid the pain, we can trust Him. When talking with her father, I asked what we could do to help. He responded that he knew Cedarville was full of praying people and that they would appreciate our prayers. With that in mind, please join me in praying for the Maxwell family during the days ahead. Please also remember Grace’s friends and the entire School of Engineering as we mourn her loss. Once we learn more information about arrangements, we will share these details with you. The Counseling Services staff is on standby for those students needing their services, and members of our Student Life and Christian Ministries team will be in the Jeremiah Chapel on Friday afternoon for those who wish to pray, reflect, and talk throughout the day.

Dr. Thomas White Addresses Students During Cedarville University’s Chapel Service

An emotional White held a time of prayer for the Maxwell family during Cedarville University’s chapel service on Friday. White asked students to come and kneel at the front of the stage. As students came forward, White said, “Can you imagine losing a parent and seven days later losing a child?”

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Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse is the Senior Content Editor for ChurchLeaders and Site Manager for ChristianNewsNow. An undeserving husband to a beautiful wife, and a father to 4 beautiful children. He serves as the chairman of the deacons, a growth group leader, and is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. Follow him on twitter here (https://twitter.com/jessetjackson). Accredited member of the Evangelical Press Association.

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