Eighteen bodies discovered as investigations into the incident unfold.
**Tragic Mid-Air Collision Results in Plane Crash in Washington D.C.**
**Tragic Mid-Air Collision Results in Plane Crash in Washington D.C.**
A passenger plane and a military helicopter collide over the Potomac River, prompting extensive rescue efforts.
The aviation community is reeling from a devastating mid-air collision involving a PSA Airlines passenger plane and a US Army helicopter, which occurred on Wednesday evening above the Potomac River in Washington D.C. The accident has already resulted in the discovery of 18 bodies in the water, with search and rescue teams facing harsh conditions as they work to recover more victims.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that American Airlines flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was involved in the accident while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The helicopter, identified as a Sikorsky H-60, had reportedly departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and carried three US soldiers, all participating in a training flight.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the moment the collision took place. One witness described how the aircraft emitted "streams of sparks" before it began to bank sharply to the right, suggesting something had gone catastrophically wrong. Another observer reported seeing the helicopter upside down in the river shortly after the impact, reinforcing the severity of the crash.
As the rescue operation continued throughout the night, approximately 300 first responders struggled against icy waters and dangerous winds, striving to locate survivors. While officials have not confirmed additional casualties pending recovery efforts, they warned that access and weather conditions were complicating their operation.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as they seek to understand how the collision occurred. American Airlines expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, as did numerous officials, including President Trump, who emphasized the importance of ongoing rescue efforts.
The aviation community is left to grapple with the implications of this incident, with further safety assessments and possible changes in air traffic protocols near the Ronald Reagan airport anticipated. The heartbreaking loss felt by many, particularly within the US figure skating community who had members aboard the ill-fated flight, underscores the urgency for answers and thorough investigations following this tragic event.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that American Airlines flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was involved in the accident while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The helicopter, identified as a Sikorsky H-60, had reportedly departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and carried three US soldiers, all participating in a training flight.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the moment the collision took place. One witness described how the aircraft emitted "streams of sparks" before it began to bank sharply to the right, suggesting something had gone catastrophically wrong. Another observer reported seeing the helicopter upside down in the river shortly after the impact, reinforcing the severity of the crash.
As the rescue operation continued throughout the night, approximately 300 first responders struggled against icy waters and dangerous winds, striving to locate survivors. While officials have not confirmed additional casualties pending recovery efforts, they warned that access and weather conditions were complicating their operation.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as they seek to understand how the collision occurred. American Airlines expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, as did numerous officials, including President Trump, who emphasized the importance of ongoing rescue efforts.
The aviation community is left to grapple with the implications of this incident, with further safety assessments and possible changes in air traffic protocols near the Ronald Reagan airport anticipated. The heartbreaking loss felt by many, particularly within the US figure skating community who had members aboard the ill-fated flight, underscores the urgency for answers and thorough investigations following this tragic event.
