Washington, D.C. : A massive search operation is currently underway following a catastrophic mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The incident, which occurred Wednesday evening, has led to confirmed fatalities, with rescue teams scouring the icy waters of the Potomac River for survivors.
Support for Affected Families: American Airlines has established a center at the airport for friends and families of those involved in the crash, where counselors are available to provide support.
Also Read: Deadly Midair Collision: American Airlines Plane and Army Helicopter Crash into Potomac
Search and Rescue Efforts: Approximately 300 first responders are involved in the rescue operation, focusing on the area where debris from both the plane and helicopter were found. The DC fire chief confirmed the aircraft are in pieces in the river.
Casualties and Details: The passenger jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard on a training mission. No survivors have been pulled from the water thus far, according to a law enforcement source.
Airport Closure: Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, as announced by Jack Potter, CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Dulles International Airport, however, remains unaffected.
FBI Involvement: The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team is assisting in the search for victims. Known as the Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT), they are specialized in recovering evidence from underwater environments.
Official Statements:
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the number of occupants in both aircraft, focusing on rescue efforts. She referred questions about the ongoing investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board.
President Donald Trump described the incident as “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented” via Truth Social.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, speaking at a media briefing, expressed the personal impact on Kansans and committed to supporting both the rescue and investigative efforts.
A large-scale search operation is underway following a devastating mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has resulted in confirmed fatalities, with rescue teams combing the icy waters of the Potomac River for survivors.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Approximately 300 first responders are engaged in the operation, concentrating on the debris field where wreckage from both aircraft has been located. DC Fire Chief confirmed that the plane and helicopter were severely damaged and are now submerged in the river.
- Search and Rescue Efforts: Approximately 300 first responders are involved in the rescue operation, focusing on the area where debris from both the plane and helicopter were found. The DC fire chief confirmed the aircraft are in pieces in the river.
- Casualties and Details: The passenger jet, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard on a training mission. No survivors have been pulled from the water thus far, according to a law enforcement source.
- Airport Closure: Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, as announced by Jack Potter, CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Dulles International Airport, however, remains unaffected.
- FBI Involvement: The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team is assisting in the search for victims. Known as the Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT), they are specialized in recovering evidence from underwater environments.
- Official Statements:
- DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the number of occupants in both aircraft, focusing on rescue efforts. She referred questions about the ongoing investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board.
- President Donald Trump described the incident as “a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented” via Truth Social.
- Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, speaking at a media briefing, expressed the personal impact on Kansans and committed to supporting both the rescue and investigative efforts.
- Support for Affected Families: American Airlines has established a center at the airport for friends and families of those involved in the crash, where counselors are available to provide support.
