A devastating plane crash this week has drawn Wichita — known as the "air capital of the world" — and its aviation roots into the national spotlight.

Wichita's Eisenhower National Airport experienced passenger growth and American Airlines added a direct flight to DC a year before the deadly crash.

Air traffic control received no response from a military Black Hawk helicopter seconds before colliding with an American Airlines flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C.

Wednesday evening's deadly Washington, D.C., plane crash brought back memories of a 1970 crash involving Wichita State University's football team.

Several coaches and skaters with the United States figure skating team were on the flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C., that crashed Wednesday night, according to U.S. Figure Skating. The flight is not believed to have any survivors.

The Wichita City Council hosted a vigil to remember and honor the victims of a midair collision who are believed to have killed more than 60 people Wednesday night near Washington, D.C.

Update: Late Wednesday night, CBS News reported that crews recovered at least 18 bodies after an inbound American Airlines flight from Wichita crashed with a military helicopter near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.