Washington, D.C, USA: Vikesh Patel, an Indian-American engineer with GE Aerospace, was tragically killed in the recent plane crash in Washington, D.C. Having spent over 11 years at the company, Patel was deeply respected by his colleagues and industry leaders for his dedication and invaluable contributions.

Larry Culp, the Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, shared his heartfelt condolences, saying, “This loss is not only a blow to our industry but also to the GE Aerospace family. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

As per Patel's LinkedIn, he had been based in the DC/Baltimore area and had also worked at GE’s Evendale facility in Cincinnati for several months in 2012 and again in 2014.

The accident, which took place on January 31, 2025, was the result of a mid-air collision between a commercial passenger jet and an Army aircraft, claiming the lives of 67 people on board.

Authorities are actively investigating the incident, with flight data and voice recorders from the planes recovered as part of the ongoing inquiry. The aviation community is awaiting more information as officials continue to work on determining the cause of this heartbreaking tragedy.