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Dozens are feared dead in collision between Blackhawk helicopter and passenger plane in Washington
Dozens are feared dead following an aerial collision between a Blackhawk military helicopter and an American Airlines passenger plane above a major airport last night. All activity has ceased with the closure of runways at DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, close to Washington DC.
The FAA has confirmed that on the approach to the airport’s runway, American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, tragically collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. President Donald Trump has implied a lapse in protocol might be to blame.
He said: “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD! ! ! “ An Army spokesperson has informed the press that an Army Blackhawk was involved and that it was engaged in a training exercise. The crash occurred within some of the most strictly regulated airspace in the world, just miles from the White House and Capitol.
Reports indicate that 18 bodies have already been retrieved from the water with expectations that the death toll will increase. US Senator Ted Cruz spoke earlier, saying: “While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities.”
“Tower did you see that?”
American Airlines released a statement confirming: “We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available.”
During air traffic control communications at the time of the crash, a controller was recorded asking the helicopter: “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight?” referring to the passenger plane.
Shortly after what seemed to be the collision, another pilot urgently contacted the tower, saying, “Tower did you see that? ” The control tower promptly redirected other flights away from Reagan Airport. The DC Police Department announced: “MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding.”
They also clarified that their helicopter was not involved in the crash and was aiding in the coordinated response effort.
A large-scale search and rescue operation is currently active on the Potomac River following the crash. Emergency services have mounted a significant response, with the downed aircraft believed to be in the Potomac River.
There are reports of victims being located by a rescue boat. Inflatable rescue boats have been deployed into the river from a launch point near the airport along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.
President Trump statement
The press secretary for US President Donald Trump confirmed to journalists that the President was informed of a collision between a military helicopter and a regional jet near Reagan National Airport (DCA). The press secretary said: “I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved.”
In a subsequent comprehensive address, President Trump shared his sentiments saying: “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.”
In a later post, he questioned how the accident happened. He wrote: “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
Vice President JD Vance took to Twitter, urging people to pray: “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.”
Plane ‘split in half’
NBC reports that approximately 60 passengers and four crew members were on the American Airlines flight. According to the report, the plane is split in half and submerged in roughly 7 feet of water.
In contrast, the helicopter is overturned and unstable, bobbing up and down in the water, preventing divers from entering. It is reported that three soldiers were on board the Blackhawk helicopter.
According to the FBI, there is no indication of any criminal activity or terrorism involved in the crash. The moment of collision was captured by a webcam at the Kennedy Center, showing a mid-air explosion over the Potomac River.
Reagan Washington National Airport released a statement saying: “All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open.”
The FAA released a statement saying: “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9pm local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.”
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