A passenger jet and a army helicopter crashed close to Reagan Nationwide Airport outdoors Washington and plunged into the Potomac river, triggering a seek for survivors in near-freezing temperatures.
The regional flight, operated by PSA Airways for American Airways, had originated in Wichita, Kansas. The Bombardier CRJ700 and a US Military Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided because the jet approached the airport round 9pm.
American Airways, which wholly owns PSA, stated American Eagle flight 5342 carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, “was concerned in an accident” at Reagan Nationwide. “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the plane,” the airline added. “We’re involved with authorities and helping with emergency response efforts.”
Robert Isom, American Airways chief government, then launched a video saying he was travelling to Washington. “We wish to be taught every thing we will about as we speak’s occasions. That work will take time,” he stated.
Officers wouldn’t affirm if there had been any casualties, nor did they affirm if any folks had been rescued. Many are feared useless.
Washington’s Metropolitan Police Division stated on X that “a multi-agency search and rescue operation is underneath method” within the Potomac river as about 300 federal, District of Columbia and state responders, together with a number of groups of divers, looked for survivors. They had been anticipated to work by means of the evening.
“We’re going to be on the market so long as it takes, and we’re clearly attempting to get to folks as quickly as doable,” Washington mayor Muriel Bowser stated throughout a media briefing on the airport early on Thursday. “We’re going to recuperate our fellow residents.”
A US defence official stated there was a crew of three on board the helicopter however no senior personnel. The Black Hawk was on a coaching flight, in accordance with Heather Chairez, spokesperson for the Military’s Joint Process Pressure-Nationwide Capital Area.
A second defence official stated the standing of the helicopter crew was unknown. The Military stated the Black Hawk was working out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, about 20 miles from the Pentagon.
“We’re working with native officers and can present extra info as soon as it turns into obtainable,” the Military stated in an announcement.
In an announcement, US President Donald Trump stated he had been “totally briefed on the horrible accident”. He later posted concerning the crash on Fact Social, saying it may have been prevented.
“The airplane was on an ideal and routine line of method to the airport. The helicopter was going straight on the airplane for an prolonged time period. It’s a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the aircraft had been blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or flip,” he requested.
“Why didn’t the management tower inform the helicopter what to do as an alternative of asking in the event that they noticed the aircraft. It is a unhealthy state of affairs that appears prefer it ought to have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!” Trump added.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s just lately confirmed defence secretary, wrote on X that the Military and defence division had opened an investigation into the crash.
The airport, situated close to the Pentagon and throughout from the Nationwide Mall, stated all take-offs and landings had been stopped however the terminal remained open.
Sirens blared throughout the US capital as dozens of police vehicles swarmed either side of the river close to the scene of the crash, closing off roads to site visitors, whereas helicopters with searchlights circled above and boats circled the wreckage.
“I hope they discover some folks alive,” stated Michael Wille, 38, who had joined a crowd on Daingerfield island, simply south of Reagan airport, to catch a glimpse of the search and rescue effort. “But it surely’s been three hours now and the water could be very near freezing level.”
A spokesperson for Sikorsky, which makes the Black Hawk helicopter and is owned by defence contractor Lockheed Martin, stated: “Now we have provided our help to the investigation and our buyer.”
MHI RJ Aviation, which acquired the CRJ sequence of plane and supporting operations from Bombardier in 2020, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Jerry Moran, a senator from Kansas, instructed reporters he had lobbied for American Airways to introduce a nonstop flight from Wichita to Reagan Nationwide Airport.
“That flight has been in existence a few 12 months, and it’s definitely true that Kansas and in Wichita particularly, we’re going to know people who find themselves on this flight,” he stated.
