Chris Cuomo broke the collision news on NewsNation at 9:45 p.m.
Over on the broadcast side, ABC News was the first network to present a special report at 9:54 p.m., anchored by Nightline co-anchor Byron Pitts with additional commentary from ABC senior investigative correspondents Kathrine Faulders and Aaron Katersky, and aviation expert Steve Ganyard. The network continued breaking news coverage on its ABC News Live streaming service until 2 a.m.
CBS News presented its special report at 10:01 p.m. featuring Chris Welch and senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave. The network also interrupted programming at 10:33 p.m. with reporting anchored by Kristine Johnson, while chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett anchored a 12:53 a.m. update. Continuous coverage aired on its streaming service, CBS News 24/7.
NBC News cut into its programming with a special report at 10:15 p.m. with Hallie Jackson anchoring and Tom Costello reporting. It aired another special report roughly 30 minutes later anchored by Lester Holt.
All of the news outlets provided continuous coverage of the tragedy on Thursday morning. CNN’s Kasie Hunt anchored live from the scene at 5 a.m., MSNBC’s Ali Velshi was on-air for overnight coverage, and Fox News aired a two-hour edition of Fox & Friends First at 4 a.m.
ABC News aired a special report at 6:05 a.m. with George Stephanopoulos, Martha Raddatz, and Whit Johnson. ABC News Live First, anchored by Diane Macedo, resumed live coverage across streaming. David Muir will anchor World News Tonight from D.C. Meanwhile, CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil was in Virginia covering the tragedy; he was the only morning anchor reporting on location. Errol Barnett started live coverage on CBS 24/7 at 7 a.m.
