American Airlines Jet and Army Helicopter Collide Over Potomac River Tragic Mid-Air Collision Near Washington D.C.

Crash 1 Dashing News

A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in both aircraft crashing into the icy Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

Key Details of the Incident

  • Aircraft Involved: An American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

  • Passenger Count: 64 people on the jet (60 passengers, four crew members); three soldiers on the helicopter.

  • Location: Near Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C.

  • Time of Crash: Approximately 8:47 p.m. local time (0147 GMT).

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

According to CBS News, at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the river. Multiple sources confirmed that several bodies were retrieved from the wreckage. However, the exact number of fatalities has yet to be officially confirmed.

Emergency responders, including police, ambulances, and rescue boats, were quickly deployed to the scene. Live footage showed multiple boats in the water with flashing emergency lights as first responders searched for survivors.

Eyewitness Accounts and Families’ Agony

Relatives of the passengers gathered at the airport, seeking information about their loved ones. Many expressed frustration over the lack of updates from officials, relying instead on news reports.

Hamaad Raza, who was waiting for his wife at the airport, shared his distress:
“She texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes. After that, my messages didn’t go through. That’s when I knew something was wrong. I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now.”

A tearful woman was seen pleading with airport officials, saying, “I don’t know if she got on there or not,” before collapsing in grief.

Official Statements

The U.S. Army confirmed that the military aircraft involved was an UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated:
“We are fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their investigation and will provide all necessary information.”

History of Aviation Accidents in the Region

This is not the first aviation disaster in the area. In 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River, killing 70 passengers and four crew members. Only five people survived.

Flight and Investigation Details

  • The crashed American Airlines jet was PSA Flight 5342, operating a route from Wichita, Kansas.

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the crash.

  • The airport temporarily halted all takeoffs and landings as rescue operations continued.

Government Response

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement:
“I have been fully briefed on this terrible accident. May God bless their souls. Thank you to our incredible first responders. We are monitoring the situation and will provide further updates.”

Aviation Safety Concerns

While this marks the first fatal U.S. passenger jet crash since 2009, recent near-miss incidents have raised serious concerns about air safety.

The last major U.S. commercial airline crash was in 2009 when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in New York, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground.

Conclusion

As rescue operations continue, authorities are working to determine the cause of the collision. Families anxiously await news, and the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny over safety measures. The coming days will bring more clarity as investigators uncover the details behind this heartbreaking tragedy.


Sources: Reuters, CBS News, FAA, American Airlines, U.S. Army

 

 

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