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:
The moment a Black Hawk military helicopter being flown by highly trained specialists from the US Army collided with an American Airlines plane over the Potomac River while on approach to DCA Airport tonight.
— david (@realdavidonline) January 30, 2025
DCA airport closed until Friday morning, per the FAA. pic.twitter.com/pkYMIeGbV8
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.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 30, 2025
- 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."
- The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the airspace incident.