Passenger Plane Collides With US Army Helicopter In Washington DC, 18 Bodies Recovered
A tragic incident occurred in Washington DC when a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided mid-air with a US Army helicopter, resulting in a crash into the Potomac River. So far, 18 bodies have been recovered from the river.
Search and rescue teams are continuing their efforts under freezing conditions. The crash has led to a full investigation by US authorities, with flights being grounded at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The mid-air collision took place around 9:00 PM local time (2:00 AM GMT) on Wednesday. A PSA Airlines jet, operating as American Airlines Flight 5432, collided with a US Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as both aircraft were approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The passenger plane involved was a Bombardier CRJ700, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members. The Sikorsky H-60 helicopter had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia, carrying three US soldiers at the time of the crash.
Casualties
As of now, 18 bodies have been pulled from the water, though no official word on the total number of casualties has been released. Early reports indicated that the passenger plane was split in half while the helicopter was found upside down in the water.
Search and rescue teams, including police and fire departments, have been working in freezing temperatures. Emergency boats have also been assisting with the search.
Eyewitness Statements
Ari Schulman, who was driving along the George Washington Parkway, recalled seeing the plane approach the airport normally until it suddenly banked hard to the right.
He described seeing “streams of sparks” running along the bottom of the plane, which illuminated its belly. Schulman stated that the sparks resembled a “giant roman candle,” which made him realize that something was terribly wrong.
Jimmy Mazeo, who was dining at a park near the airport with his girlfriend, said he saw what appeared to be a “white flare” in the sky.
He observed that the planes seemed to be flying in “irregular patterns” before emergency services arrived on the scene. Mazeo did not think much of what he saw at first, but as emergency responders arrived, the severity of the situation became apparent.
Official Responses
President Donald Trump stated that he had been fully briefed on the “terrible accident” and was closely monitoring the situation. He also expressed his condolences, saying, “May God Bless their souls,” and thanked the first responders for their efforts.
Vice-President JD Vance also offered prayers for those involved in the incident. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed that they were closely following the situation. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom posted a video expressing his “deep sorrow” regarding the collision.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the crash.
Their goal is to determine the cause of the collision and to investigate any other factors. Authorities are working to understand the events that led to this tragic accident and are taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
As search and rescue efforts continue, the nation waits for further updates on both the investigation and the possibility of more survivors. US authorities are focused on uncovering the exact circumstances behind the crash while providing support to the families affected by this heartbreaking event.
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