Airplane Crashed
Near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a commercial airplane and a chopper crashed into the Potomac River in midair. It is unclear how many passengers were on board the aircraft.
In the United States, a jet crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC. It is still unclear how many passengers were on the commercial flight. A helicopter collided with a passenger plane in midair as it lunged into Reagan Washington Airport and went down. Rescuers are on the Potomac River searching.
Statement from Authorities
According to the FAA, American Airlines Flight 5342 struck a Black Hawk helicopter close to Washington, DC. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines using a CRJ-700, according to American Airlines.
Senator Jerry Morgan, a Kansas native, said the passenger airliner was coming into Washington, DC Airport from Kansas. I am in communication with the authorities. Please join me in praying for all the people affected.
The Washington DC Fire Services reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday night. According to the officials of the airport, through an X update, all planes were temporarily stopped due to the emergency response to the crash.
The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department reported around half past nine at night that the plane crashed onto the river near the airport. Boats from the fire department were quickly moved to the location to assist with the matter.
A regional jetliner carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was the American Eagle Flight No. 5342. Three soldiers on board the Sikorsky H-60.
At least 18 bodies had been recovered as of Wednesday night, officials said, though the rescue operation was ongoing. The crash occurred during a training flight and included a helicopter that was part of the Joint Task Force’s B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Casualties
An official said until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, at least 18 bodies had been recovered from the river that had three debris fields. No survivors had been found so far, according to him.
Rescue Process
Police boats and divers were conducting search and rescue operations in the Potomac River.
“It’s a pretty complex operation, the conditions out there are pretty rough for the responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions,” District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly Stated.
Trump’s Tribute to Lost Ones
According to statements by President Trump, he had received an in-depth briefing on the calamity. His words, “May God Bless their souls,” “We appreciate the amazing work that our first responders are doing. I’m keeping an eye on things and will give further information when it becomes available.”
Additionally, he asked what caused the incident in a Truth Social post, stating, “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.” “NOT GOOD!”