Bring in show music, please.

Hi, I'm CNBC producer Katie Kramer.

Today on Squawk Pod.

A tragic plane crash at Washington National Airport, the first commercial jet crash in the U.S. in 16 years,

the latest developments from one of the country's busiest runways, plus the perspective of American Airlines

pilot and union rep, Dennis Taser.

Know that every pilot out there is as close to this as you can be, because we don't

want it ever happening to us.

And Wall Street Power Player John Gray of 220-some billion-dollar Blackstone, two letters having big

impact on the portfolio, A, I.

We're still growing our hiring, but there's definitely a factor here where these tools are

powerful.

If you think about summarization or graphic design, translation.

It's Thursday, January 30th.

Squawk Pod begins right now.

First up on the podcast, a tragic mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., Wednesday evening. An American Airlines regional passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk

helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River. Dozens of people

were killed just as the American Eagle jet, which had come from Wichita, Kansas, was about to land.

There were 60 passengers and four crew on board and three on the military helicopter.

No survivors are expected to be found. There are more questions than answers at this early stage.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isam released a statement late last night before heading to Washington

for recovery efforts.

...