A catastrophic accident occurred in Washington DC when a passenger plane crashed after colliding with a US Army helicopter, leading to the recovery of 18 bodies as authorities initiate search and rescue efforts amidst challenging conditions.
Tragic Mid-Air Collision: Passenger Plane Crashes in Washington DC
Tragic Mid-Air Collision: Passenger Plane Crashes in Washington DC
A PSA Airlines flight carrying 64 people collides with a US Army helicopter, resulting in multiple fatalities and a major rescue operation in the Potomac River.
A tragic mid-air collision occurred in Washington DC on Wednesday night when a PSA Airlines passenger jet operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US Army helicopter. The incident, which took place around 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT), involved a Bombardier CRJ700 jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members that had just departed from Wichita, Kansas, approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60, was on a training flight with three soldiers aboard, having taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Emergency responders have retrieved 18 bodies from the Potomac River, where search and rescue teams are braving freezing temperatures to locate additional victims. Authorities have grounded flights at the nearby airport as investigations into the crash are launched by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Eyewitness accounts describe the terrifying moments leading up to the crash, with one driver reporting seeing the aircraft approach normally before it banked hard to the right, emitting "streams of sparks." Observers noted that the plane appeared to be in distress, as some questioned the safety of flight paths near the busy airport.
In the aftermath, officials refrained from confirming casualties during press conferences, with a focus on rescue operations. U.S. Figure Skating reported that several members of its community were aboard the ill-fated flight, returning from a development camp in Kansas.
In statements, President Trump expressed his condolences and concerns about the incident, calling it a "terrible accident," and indicated the need for an investigation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledged that the FAA would review flight paths and operations in light of the crash. The American Airlines CEO shared his "deep sorrow," marking a somber day for the aviation community and the families affected by this disaster.
