After colliding with the military helicopter close to Reagan National Airport in Washington, the American Airlines flight, which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, plunged into the Potomac River.
In what has been called one of the nation’s largest aviation tragedies, a passenger jet and a helicopter collided in midair Wednesday night at Reagan Washington National Airport, crashing into the Potomac River and killing several people. According to a police official quoted by CBS News, at least 18 remains have been found.
Sixty passengers and four crew members were on board the American Airlines aircraft. According to US sources, the helicopter carried three soldiers.
Following the incident, which occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, all airport takeoffs and landings have been suspended.
As it approached the airport, the PSA Airlines regional plane struck a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter in midair, according to the FAA.
“There have been reports of an incident involving American Eagle flight 5342, which is operated by PSA and operates from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).” As information becomes available, we will share it,” American Airlines stated on X.
According to his press secretary, President Donald Trump was briefed, while Vice President JD Vance urged followers on the social networking site X to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”
According to Trump, the mishap “should have been prevented.”
Although there was no early information on injuries, police stated that several agencies were involved in a search and rescue effort in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.
From a location close to the airport on the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport, inflatable rescue boats were lowered into the Potomac River.
Numerous helicopters were hovering over the location of the incident in the Potomac River, including those from the US military, the DC Metropolitan Police Department, and the US Park Police.
Additional information is revealed by air traffic control tower audio.
Washington, DC Fireboats were on the site, according to X’s fire and EMS reports.
Two sets of lights that were consistent with airplanes appeared to merge in a fireball in a video that was allegedly taken from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center.
“PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,” the controller asks the helicopter, referring to the passenger plane, according to audio taken from the air traffic control tower at the time of the disaster.
“Tower did you see that?” Shortly after the alleged collision, another pilot can be heard making a call. At once, the tower started rerouting other planes away from Reagan.
The tragedy brought to mind the January 13, 1982, disaster of an Air Florida jet that killed 78 passengers when it crashed into the Potomac. The weather was blamed for that crash.
