Thursday, February 20th, 2025

At least 18 dead in American Airlines aircraft and army helicopter crash near Reagan Airport DC


CBS News reported that a tragic midar confrontation between an American airline aircraft with 64 on board and a military helicopter caused a disastrous accident in the Potomac River, CBS News.

The collision included a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorski H-60 ​​Black Hawk Helicopter, both of them crashed while trying to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. As a result of the accident, at least 18 people lost their lives, in which no survivors have been found so far, and emergency respondents continued to search at night.

Commercial flight, American eagle flight number 5342, Wichita, Kansas, N Rulet had departed from Washington, DC the Jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with a black hawk helicopter, in which There were three soldiers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision occurred around 9 pm local time as the aircraft was contacting the runway 33 at the airport. All flights were ground immediately, and emergency teams were deployed to assist in search and rescue operations.

At the scene, a police officer confirmed CBS News that three debris fields were visible in the river, and at 11:30 pm, at least 18 bodies were recovered. The police officer said, “No one was found to be left till now.” The search operations were expected to continue throughout the night. The FAA also confirmed that the accident included a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operated by the American Airlines, and a Sikorsky H -60 helicopter.

American Airlines confirmed a statement confirming the incident stating that it was aware of the reports that the American Eagle Flight 5342 operated by the PSA. “The airline expressed condolences to the people affected by the accident and said it was working closely with the officials.

The army later confirmed that the helicopter involved in the collision was a black hawk helicopter, based out of Fort Belveer, Virginia. According to Heather Chairz, a spokesman from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, the helicopter was on a training flight. “Chopper was on a training flight,” Chairj told CBS News. The helicopter was assigned to Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion. An official of the Defense Department confirmed that three soldiers were riding on a helicopter, although no senior officials were on the board.

According to the scanner Audio from Air Traffic Control, Dispatcher confirmed that both helicopters and aircraft had crashed into the river. “The accident occurred in the river,” the dispatcher said in the audio. “Both the helicopter and the aircraft crashed into the river.” The collision made a fireball from the Kennedy Center, and a verified Livestream caught the moment of the explosion. The explosion occurred at 8:47 am, shortly before the accident.

The White House confirmed that President Trump was informed on the situation. White House press secretary Karolin Lewitt said, “The President is informed about the situation.” Trump later expressed his/her condolences, saying, “I have been given full information on the terrible accident which was only at Reagan National Airport.” May God bless his/her souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first respondents. ,

On social media website Truth Social, US President Trump also expressed disappointment over the incident, wrote, “The airplane was on an ideal and regular line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going directly to the airplane for an extended period of time. This is a clear night, the lights on the aircraft were burning, why the helicopter did not go up or down, or turned. The control tower did not tell the helicopter what they have seen the aircraft, instead of asking what to do. This is a bad condition that seems to have been stopped. Not good !!! “

The FBI has confirmed that the incident is not being considered a criminal incident at this time. According to a report by the district of the Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, a small aircraft crashed into the Potomac River “in the surrounding area” in the airport. The department has also confirmed that emergency personnel are responding to the accident.

The defense secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his/her condolences, praying in a post on social media, “praying for all the affected souls and their families”. he/she also confirmed that an investigation was being initiated by the Army and the Department of Defense. Hegseth wrote, “We can confirm that the aircraft involved in the incident tonight, an Army from the 12th Aviation Battalion, was a UH -60 helicopter, which was a training flight from Davisson Army Airfield, Fort Belveer, during a training flight Was outside. ” “We are working with local authorities and will provide additional information after it is available.”

Heather Chairj, the media head of the media head of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Area/MDW Public Affairs Office, provided more information in a statement, stating, “We can confirm that the aircraft involved in the incident tonight from Bravo Company An army was a UH -60 helicopter, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davisson Army Airfield, Fort Belveer during a training flight. We are working with local authorities and will provide additional information after being available. With a lot of honor, Heather Chairj Media Chief JTF-NCR/MDW Public Affairs Office. ,

Transport Secretary Sean Dafi posted on X (East Twitter): “I have directed the US Transport Department and Federal Aviation Administration News to provide full assistance to the National Transport Safety Board and all the reply agencies and officials.”

The DC Police Department confirmed that many agencies were coordinating a discovery-and-resurrection operation, and the US Park Police was involved in the efforts. The FAA is investigating the cause of the accident, and the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) is assisting in the investigation.

Washington, DC Mayor Murial Boussar posted on X, “As we continue to pray for all, we are grateful for the efforts of our first respondents during this tragic incident. A press at 12:30 tonight tonight There will be a conference on this account.

As officers work to determine the cause of conflict, many are left to mourn the loss of 63 lives, while questions about the sequence of events come up.



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