WASHINGTON, D.C.** – A regional American Airlines passenger jet collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, marking a tragic event as the first major commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009.
At a Thursday morning news conference, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly reported that authorities do not expect any survivors from the incident. As a result, rescue operations have transitioned into a recovery mission.
So far, recovery crews have retrieved 28 bodies, including 27 from the passenger jet and one from the Black Hawk helicopter. The American Airlines flight 5342 was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash, although the aircraft can hold up to 70 people. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three Army soldiers, and officials confirmed that no senior military leaders were on board during the incident. The helicopter was conducting a training flight and was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, according to Army spokesperson Heather Chairez. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information as it becomes available,” she stated.
According to preliminary information from the FAA, the incident occurred midair when the PSA Airlines Bombardier regional jet collided with the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching the airport.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in aviation and the profound impact of such events on families and communities. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
