Washington, D.C., witnessed a devastating aviation disaster on Wednesday evening when an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Airport. The crash resulted in multiple fatalities and missing persons, marking one of the worst air tragedies in the region in decades.
American Airlines confirmed that the ill-fated aircraft, which departed from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when the collision occurred over the Potomac River around 9:00 PM local time (2:00 AM GMT).
According to CBS News, rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies from the river so far, with no signs of survivors. Approximately 300 rescue personnel are engaged in ongoing search efforts, facing challenges due to darkness and freezing temperatures.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that search and rescue operations remain the top priority. Divers and boats are scouring the Potomac River for potential survivors, while a Maryland State Police submarine has been deployed to assist in the mission. Meanwhile, a specialized investigative team is working at the crash site to determine the cause of the collision.
The U.S. Army confirmed that the military helicopter, carrying three soldiers, had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on a training mission when the accident occurred.
Following the crash, authorities temporarily shut down Reagan Airport, diverting flights to Baltimore International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport would remain closed until at least Friday morning.
The incident has sparked widespread shock in American political and media circles. Former President Donald Trump expressed deep concern on the social media platform X, questioning why air traffic control did not divert the helicopter away from the passenger plane’s flight path. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the event a “horrific tragedy,” while Transportation Secretary Shane Duffy pledged that his department would take necessary actions if any flight path safety lapses are identified.
Rescue officials suggest that this disaster may be the deadliest aviation accident in Washington, D.C., in decades, raising urgent questions about air traffic safety measures in the capital’s skies.
source: fesnews media