All 67 Killed In Washington DC Plane-Helicopter Collision, 28 Bodies Recovered

Vacation

Last Updated:January 31, 2025, 00:03 IST

An American Airlines flight and a Blackhawk helicopter clashed mid-air near Reagan Airport, crashing into the Potomac River. President Donald Trump stated all aboard the airplane were eliminated.

An American Airlines flight reaching Reagan Airport in Washington hit a helicopter, after which both the airplane crashed into the Potomac River, eliminating all travelers on board. The event taken place in the wee hours of Thursday, according to the Indian time.

The American Airlines Flight 5342 was bring 64 individuals, consisting of travelers and team members, at the time of the crash. A minimum of 28 bodies have actually been recuperated from the river into which both airplane crashed. Authorities stated there are most likely no survivors from the terrible crash.

“At this point we do not think there are any survivors,” AFP quoted Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly at a news conference at Reagan National Airport, outside the US capital. “We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”

United States President Donald Trump later on verified that there were no survivors. “Sadly, there are no survivors … The work has actually now moved to a healing objective,” he said at a press conference. “This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and in our nation’s history and a tragedy of terrible proportions. As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly and we are in mourning.”

“On behalf of the First Lady, myself and 340 million Americans, our hearts are shattered along with yours and our prayers are with you now and in the days to come, we will work extremely vigilantly and we are here to clean away your tears and to provide you our dedication, love and assistance,” Trump added. The President also blamed diversity hires in federal agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Obama and Biden’s regimes for the crash, although he offered no explanation.

The military Blackhawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers.

A massive search and rescue operation was launched into the waters of the Potomac River, soon after the crash was reported. Later, Reagan Airport aborted all takeoffs and landings as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors.

Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.

Vacation MANY VIDEOS OF REAGAN AIRPORT PLANE CRASH SURFACE

The collision between the American Airlines flight and the helicopter occurred on a warm winter evening in Washington, with temperatures registering as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, following a stretch days earlier of intense cold and ice.

Multiple videos on social media showed different angles of the chopper-jet crash.

A video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center showed two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to join in a fireball.

Another video showed an almost pitch-black helicopter ramming into a passenger plane, thereby causing an explosion.

A dashcam footage showed the exact moment of the aircraft crash near Reagan International Airport.

A video showed helicopters carrying out a search operation over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.

Another video showed fireboats and emergency personnel responding to the incident.

Later, images showed wreckage of the fuselage from either the plane, or the helicopter.

Vacation AUDIO CAPTURES MOMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER PLANE CRASH

Air traffic control audio recorded the final moments before and after the crash. Audio from LiveATC.net, a respected source for in-flight recording, captured the final communications between the three crew members of the helicopter – call sign PAT25 – before it collided with the CRJ700 Bombardier jet carrying 64 passengers and crew.

“PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ,” an air traffic controller stated at 8.47 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday (01:47 GMT on Thursday).

Seconds later on, another airplane employed to air traffic control service, stating, “Tower, did you see that?” – referring to the crash.

An air traffic controller then redirected planes heading to runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport to go around.

“Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three,” among the air traffic controllers can be heard stating in the audio from around the time of the crash.

“I do not understand if you captured earlier what took place, however there was an accident on the technique into 33. We’re going to be closing down operations for the indefinite future,” another controller remarked.

“Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river,” a 3rd air traffic controller can be heard stating.

“It was most likely out in the middle of the river,” the controller said.

“I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river. But it was a CRJ and a helicopter that hit.”

Vacation FAA’s VERSION ON AMERICAN AIRLINES CRASH

According to the Associated Press, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated the midair crash took place around 9 pm EST when a local jet that had actually left from Wichita, Kansas, hit a military Blackhawk helicopter while on technique to an airport runway.

It took place in a few of the most securely managed and kept track of airspace worldwide, simply over 3 miles south of the White House and the Capitol.

American Airlines Flight 5342 was incoming to Reagan National at an elevation of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a fast loss of elevation over the Potomac River, according to information from its radio transponder.

The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet, made in 2004, can be set up to bring as much as 70 guests.

A couple of minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the getting here business jet if it might arrive at the much shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots stated they were able.

Controllers then cleared the aircraft to arrive on Runway 33.

Flight tracking websites revealed the airplane change its technique to the brand-new runway.

Flight information likewise revealed the helicopter near the Central Intelligence Agency head office in Virginia.

Vacation AMERICAN AIRLINES CEO EXPRESSES GRIEF

In a video message launched on social networks, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom revealed sorrow over the dreadful airplane crash in Washington.

“I ‘d like to reveal our deep grief about these occasions. This is a hard day for everyone,” Isom said.

“We’re cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can,” he included.

Vacation AUTHORITIES ADDRESS MEDIA OVER REAGAN PLANE CRASH

Resolving a press instruction over the American Airlines crash, United States Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas recommended that all onboard the aircraft passed away. Authorities did not offer a death toll from the accident.

“It’s truly difficult when you lose most likely over 60 Kansans concurrently,” Marshall said, adding, “When one person dies, it’s a tragedy, but when many, many, many people die, it’s an unbearable sorrow.”

“It’s a heartbreak beyond procedure,” he added.

Vacation PRESIDENT TRUMP BRIEFED OVER PLANE CRASH

In various social media posts, US President Donald Trump said he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident” and, describing the guests, included, “May God Bless their souls.”

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagon National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” a very first declaration by President Trump checked out.

Later on, in a post on Truth Social, Trump composed, “The plane was on an ideal and regular line of technique to the airport. The helicopter was going directly at the aircraft for a prolonged amount of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the aircraft were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter increase or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower inform the helicopter what to do rather of asking if they saw the aircraft. This is a bad circumstance that appears like it ought to have been avoided. BAD!!!” (sic).

Later, in an X post, Vice-President JD Vance wrote, “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagon airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”

Vacation REAGAN AIRPORT CRASH: AIRCRAFT INVOLVED

According to Reuters, the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter, associated with the crash, is among the most common and renowned military helicopters, filling numerous functions for the United States military, consisting of air attack, basic assistance, medevac, command and control, and unique operations support.

The airplane was flying with the call indication PAT25 and had 3 residents, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a public database of air travel mishaps.

More than 5,000 Black Hawks have actually been developed given that production started in the mid-1970s.

The American Airlines aircraft– Bombardier CRJ700, which can seat about 70 individuals, is a workhorse of local industrial air travel. There have to do with 260 of the airplane in service, according to Cirium, an air travel information business.

The airplane was signed up N530EA and produced in 2010, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The jet was signed up to American Airlines however run by its entirely owned subsidiary, PSA Airlines.

Vacation ABOUT REAGAN AIRPORT

Found along the Potomac River, simply southwest of the city, Reagan National is a popular option due to the fact that it’s much closer than the bigger Dulles International Airport, which is deeper in Virginia.

Depending upon the runway being utilized, flights into Reagan can provide travelers magnificent views of landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the United States Capitol. It is a postcard-worthy welcome for travelers checking out the city.

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Released:

January 30, 2025, 08:07 IST

News world All 67 Killed In Washington DC Plane-Helicopter Collision, 28 Bodies Recovered

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