The legal and academic communities are mourning the tragic loss of Kiah Duggins, a 30-year-old Howard University law professor, who was among 67 people killed in a devastating midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport.
The crash, which occurred Wednesday evening over the Potomac River, left no survivors, according to federal officials. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other agencies are currently working to determine the cause of the catastrophic accident.
A Promising Legal Mind Gone Too Soon
Duggins, a Harvard Law School graduate, was a rising star in legal academia, specializing in civil rights litigation and social justice advocacy. Before joining Howard University School of Law, she worked at the Civil Rights Corps, where she challenged unconstitutional policing and money bail practices across multiple states. She had also collaborated with the ACLU of Northern California to combat police misconduct.
Howard University President Ben Vinson III confirmed Duggins’ passing in a heartfelt statement, describing her as an inspiring professor and advocate whose impact reached far beyond the classroom.
“This is a profound loss for the Howard community,” Vinson said. “Kiah’s commitment to justice, education, and service was extraordinary. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, students, and colleagues.”
A Life of Excellence and Advocacy
Originally from Kansas, Duggins’ accomplishments extended beyond the legal field. She was a Fulbright scholar in Taiwan and earned dual undergraduate degrees from Wichita State University.
She was also a two-time Miss Butler County pageant winner and a finalist in the Miss Kansas Pageant.
Her former pageant director, Larry Strong, called her “a remarkable individual with a passion for justice and education.”
Details of the Crash
The tragedy unfolded when American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701 carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided midair with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter conducting a training exercise.
Investigators report that the jet, traveling at 140 miles per hour, suddenly lost altitude and struck the helicopter at approximately 300 feet, triggering an explosion that sent debris into the Potomac River. Emergency crews have recovered 28 bodies so far, with the search for victims ongoing.
A Lasting Legacy
The legal world has lost a brilliant scholar and advocate, and Howard University has lost a dedicated educator and mentor.
Those who knew Kiah Duggins say her passion for justice, commitment to education, and unwavering dedication to civil rights will remain her enduring legacy.
