Plane Crashes Into Chipper While Landing At Reagan National Airport Near Washington DC (Screengrab) | X
Washington DC: A plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a US Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC on Wednesday night. A search and rescue operation was launched after both aircraft crashed in the nearby Potomac River. According to reports, 19 bodies have been pulled out so far by the authorities.
There were 64 passengers and crew members onboard the American Eagle Flight 5342, while three were on Blackhawk helicopter when the collision took place, All 67 people were feared dead.
Visuals Of The Collision:
Here are 10 Big developments:
– The American Eagle Flight 5342 was reportedly on its way to Washington DC from Kansas. There were three soldiers onboard the Blackhawk chopper.
– The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet crashed into the Sikorsky UH-60 chopper at around 9 pm (local time) on Wednesday. The plane was approaching the airport when the incident took place.
– Emergency staff immediately swung into action.
– All flight operations have been suspended at the Reagan National Airport.
– The incident took place just five kilometres from the White House.
– As per local media, 18 bodies have been pulled out of the river. Meanwhile, 67 people are feared dead.
– A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able to, reported The Associated Press. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33.
– US President Donald Trump is monitoring the situation. ” “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” Trump said in a statement.
– US Vice President JD Vance in His X post said, “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
– American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video statement over the tragic incident. He offered condolences to the families of the deceased. “This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones. I know that there are many questions, and at this early stage, I’ll not be able to answer all of them. But I do want to share the information I have at this time. American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, a CRJ 700 aircraft traveling from Wichita, Kansas to Washington Reagan National Airport, has been involved in an accident near Washington, D.C. it appears to have collided with a military aircraft on approach,” Isom said in a statement.
– The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the airspace incident.
