Mid-air collision kills 21 near Washington DC
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A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport, sending both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. The passenger aircraft, Flight 5342 operated by PSA Airlines from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members when the incident occurred around 21:00 local time.
18 bodies have been recovered so far, with no survivors found. Three U.S. Army soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Eyewitnesses described seeing sparks and what appeared to be a "giant roman candle" followed by a fireball during the collision.
Emergency teams are conducting search and rescue operations under challenging conditions. Washington DC's emergency chief John Donnelly emphasized the difficulties facing rescue divers, citing darkness, wind, and ice in the Potomac River. Reports indicate the aircraft split in half upon impact with the water.
Reagan National Airport suspended all operations, diverting flights to Dulles International Airport. The Washington DC metro system extended its service hours to accommodate affected passengers. Senator Ted Cruz confirmed fatalities, though the exact number remains unconfirmed.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom announced a response team's deployment to Washington DC, while President Trump stated he had been "fully briefed on the terrible accident" and is monitoring the situation. The incident marks the first fatal U.S. passenger airplane accident since February 2009.
The National Transportation Safety Board, federal aviation authorities, and Congress have launched investigations into the crash. Multiple federal and local agencies continue search efforts in the river, where debris from both aircraft has been observed floating in the water.