Midair Collision Over Washington: American Airlines Jet and Army Helicopter Crash into Potomac River (Update)
A devastating midair collision near Reagan National Airport sent an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter into the icy Potomac River. Rescue efforts continue as authorities investigate the tragedy.
Tragic Midair Collision Near Reagan National Airport
A catastrophic midair collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in both aircraft plunging into the frigid waters of the Potomac River on Wednesday night. The accident occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport, prompting an immediate large-scale rescue operation as authorities scrambled to locate survivors and recover the wreckage.
Initial reports from CBS News confirm that at least 18 bodies have been recovered, with search efforts continuing. Multiple sources, including law enforcement officials, indicated that more victims may still be unaccounted for. American Airlines released a statement confirming that 64 individuals were aboard the jet, comprising 60 passengers and four crew members. Meanwhile, a U.S. Army representative stated that the Black Hawk helicopter carried three soldiers at the time of the crash.
Families Left in Agonizing Uncertainty
As the grim reality of the tragedy unfolded, families waiting at Reagan National Airport expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates from officials. Many relied on news broadcasts and social media for information rather than official channels. One distraught woman, struggling to confirm whether her loved one had boarded the doomed flight, broke down in tears at the airport.
Hamaad Raza, who had been awaiting his wife’s arrival, recounted the moment he realized something was wrong. “She texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes,” he told local CBS affiliate WUSA. “But my reply never went through. That’s when I knew something was terribly wrong. I can only pray that someone is pulling her from the river right now.”
Eyewitnesses and Video Evidence Reveal Chaos
A web camera positioned at the Kennedy Center in Washington captured chilling footage of an explosion in the night sky over the Potomac River around 8:47 p.m. Witnesses described seeing a fireball as one of the aircraft plummeted rapidly toward the water.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that PSA Airlines was operating the ill-fated Flight 5342 on behalf of American Airlines. The flight had originated in Wichita, Kansas, and was en route to Washington when the tragic collision occurred.
Rescue Teams Mobilize as Search Intensifies
Emergency responders launched a swift and coordinated effort to locate survivors. Dozens of police, fire, and medical teams, along with rescue boats, swarmed the crash site. Helicopters with searchlights hovered overhead, scanning the river for any signs of movement.
The airport immediately suspended all takeoffs and landings as authorities diverted resources toward the emergency response. Passengers scheduled for flights out of Reagan National faced significant delays as investigators secured the area and gathered preliminary data.
Government and Airline Responses
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom addressed the tragedy in a video statement, confirming the airline’s full cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as investigations commenced. “We are committed to supporting the families affected by this unimaginable loss and are working closely with authorities to determine what happened,” Isom stated.
The U.S. Army acknowledged the incident, confirming that the aircraft involved was a UH-60 Black Hawk from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Army officials have yet to provide details on the cause of the collision or whether the helicopter was on an active mission at the time.
President Donald Trump issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims and praising the efforts of first responders. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide additional information as it becomes available. May God bless the souls of those lost in this tragic accident,” the statement read.
Aviation Safety Concerns Resurface
The incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since 2009, when a Colgan Air flight crashed in New York, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground. While commercial air travel has maintained an impressive safety record in recent years, a series of near-miss incidents has raised concerns over air traffic management and aviation safety protocols.
The last significant aviation disaster in Washington occurred in 1982, when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge before plunging into the Potomac River, claiming the lives of 70 passengers and four crew members. The eerie similarity to Wednesday’s crash underscores the ever-present risks in the skies above the nation’s capital.
What Comes Next?
Investigators from the NTSB and FAA have launched a full inquiry into the midair collision. Preliminary reports suggest that air traffic control records, cockpit voice recordings, and data from the aircraft’s black boxes will be crucial in determining how two aircraft ended up on a collision course over one of the busiest air corridors in the U.S.
For now, rescue teams remain focused on recovering victims and locating any possible survivors in the frigid waters of the Potomac. Grieving families await answers, while the aviation industry braces for what could be a renewed scrutiny of flight safety protocols and air traffic management systems.
As authorities piece together the sequence of events leading to this horrific accident, the focus remains on honoring those lost and preventing similar tragedies in the future. This collision serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and risks involved in modern air travel, reigniting discussions on the need for enhanced aviation safety measures. While answers may take time, one thing is certain—this heartbreaking incident will not be forgotten.
Source: (Reuters)
(Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Details may change as new reports emerge. Readers are encouraged to refer to official sources for the latest updates.)
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