On Wednesday night, an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter. Investigators say there were 60 passengers and four crew onboard the jet, and three soldiers onboard the helicopter.

It's the first fatal airline accident of a U.S. carrier in 16 years, since Feb. 12, 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in a Buffalo-area suburb. All 49 people on board were killed, as well as one person on the ground. 

The midair crash in the D.C. area is bringing back memories for families of those on the Flight 3407.

“It's shock. It's disbelief. It's anger. It's sadness,” said Ron Aughtmon, the nephew of 3407 victim John Fiore.

It hits home for those impacted by the 2009 crash.

“Just the not knowing what's going on and no confirmation of, you know, are they dead, are they alive,” added Jen West, the wife of 3407 victim Ernie West.

There are no survivors expected after the crash over the Potomac Wednesday night.

“Waking up this morning, a little piece of me is crying inside because we wanted [the lack of crashes] to last forever,” said Aughtmon. “We never want a family to go through what we did.”

In the 3407 crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ruled pilot error and a lack of training were the causes of the crash. Because of that, the families of those victims took action and are a major reason why the Airline Safety Act of 2010 passed, which set a new safety standard for crew rest requirements and limited duty times. It also required airlines to disclose who was operating the flight.

A pilot database was also added. It also ensures all pilots log 1,500 flying hours before they are eligible to fly a commercial plane.

It’s a battle that comes up every four years when their bill is up for renewal.

“We have to rip the [bandage] off and re-explain everything over again and make them aware, because they weren't just statistics,” said West. “They were people.”

That’s the human factor, which comes into play every time a plane takes off.

The 3407 families have nothing but empathy for those going through this tragedy.

“My heart went out, because I know what they're going to go through for the next year and for the rest of their lives,” said West. “Watching that coverage of how there were loved ones waiting at the airport to pick them up, and they make areas for you to go, and it just brought back so many memories.”

Aughtmon’s uncle would have celebrated his 76th birthday Thursday, the day after the crash over the Potomac. He says this is their worst nightmare. 

"We all know with everything that's gone on over the last 16 years, it's the safest period of aviation history in the U.S. You know, it's always in the back of our mind that something bad's going to happen at some point, and you just hope it's just, you know, put out there as long as possible," he said. "But, yeah, waking up to watch that this morning was just horrific."

They know it’s a whirlwind of interviews, hearings and grief. They also know a new family will be forged through the trauma.

“No one really knows what you're going through, except for those people,” said West.

West found strength in raising her daughter, who was 2 years old at the time of the crash. Aughtmon went on to found the John Fiore Foundation in honor of his uncle.

“Your mind is going to wander. Be OK with sadness, be OK to cry [and] be OK to be angry,” said Aughtmon. “All of those emotions are real and they're OK to feel.”

“Your life as you know it is over, but your new life begins now, and you just have to learn how to function in your new life and you'll be OK,” added West.

Blame is already being passed around for this crash. While we don’t know what exactly happened just yet, West says she hopes the good of the people will always be placed first.

“Money can't tuck my daughter in bed at night, you know? And so it seems like it's always about the almighty dollar. And if people would just realize […] they're actual people that lost their lives, why wouldn't you want to do the right thing?” she said.

From here, Aughtmon says if it comes down to the families needing a support system, they will be there.

They also plan to visit Capitol Hill in the near future to ensure they have the support of the Trump administration.