D.C. Plane Crash Live Updates: Helicopter and Jet Collide Near Reagan National Airport
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D.C. Plane Crash Live Updates: Helicopter and Jet Collide Near Reagan National Airport
Current Situation:A tragic mid-air collision occurred between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident took place around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The jet, designated as American Airlines Flight 5342, was operated by PSA Airlines and was on approach to Runway 33. The helicopter involved was a Sikorsky H-60, part of the 12 Aviation Battalion based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was on a training flight.Casualties and Search Efforts:The collision resulted in the jet and helicopter crashing into the Potomac River. There are confirmed fatalities, though the exact number of casualties has been difficult to ascertain due to the aircraft going down into the river. Multiple sources report that there were no survivors rescued as of midnight.
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Response and Investigation:A multi-agency search-and-rescue operation is underway, involving the DC Fire and EMS Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, and various federal agencies. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation. The airport was closed to all takeoffs and landings, with a ground stop expected to continue until 5 a.m. on Friday.Official Statements:President Donald Trump confirmed that he had been briefed on the incident and expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. He also praised the efforts of the first responders involved in the rescue operation.
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Background:This is the first crash involving a U.S. commercial flight since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York, resulting in the deaths of all 50 people on board. The last crash at Reagan National Airport occurred on January 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight crashed into a bridge, killing 78 people.
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Updates:As of now, the search for any potential survivors continues, and further details about the incident and the investigation will be provided as they become available.