A tragic midair collision occurred on Wednesday evening near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., involving a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 12th Aviation Battalion based at Fort Belvoir and an American Airlines passenger jet.
The civilian aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, was carrying 64 people—60 passengers and four crew members—when it neared its landing destination.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency teams quickly arrived on the scene, but according to John Donnelly, Chief of Washington D.C. Fire and EMS, survival chances appear bleak.
So far, rescuers have retrieved the remains of 27 passengers from the civilian flight and one from the downed helicopter.
Reports state that the Black Hawk was engaged in a routine training mission with three crew members aboard during the incident.
Recovery operations are underway in the Potomac River, where debris is being sought.
The tragic event unfolded shortly before 9 p.m. local time, as the plane was making its final approach to the airport, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Investigation and Official Responses
Expressing profound concern for those affected by the incident, Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, stated that the airline is cooperating fully with emergency response teams and authorities in the aftermath of the crash.
A spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region confirmed the Black Hawk’s involvement and noted that it had either departed Fort Belvoir or launched from a nearby site.
Military aviation units regularly conduct training flights in the airspace surrounding the capital.
Further details revealed that the collision occurred between the Bravo Company Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342.
The FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and U.S. Army are all conducting investigations, with the NTSB leading the effort and collaborating with local officials to keep the public informed.
Due to the severity of the incident, Reagan National Airport is temporarily closed until Thursday morning, as stated by the FAA.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared his condolences for those impacted on social media, expressing sorrow over the tragic event.
Details of the Collision
At a press briefing on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy provided insights into the lead-up to the collision.
He noted that both the Black Hawk and the passenger jet were following standard flight protocols.
However, he emphasized the unusual nature of such midair collisions, highlighting that they do not occur under normal circumstances.
Duffy also confirmed that the fuselages of both aircraft have been located, revealing that the passenger jet was found inverted and in three distinct sections, partially submerged in water about waist-deep.
As the situation evolves, updates will be released to keep the public informed.
Source: Taskandpurpose