BREAKING: Passenger Jet Collides With Army Helicopter Near Washington, D.C.
4 mins read

BREAKING: Passenger Jet Collides With Army Helicopter Near Washington, D.C.

UPDATE: 1:21 a.m. EST
D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser hosted a press conference at Raegan Washington National Airport around 1 a.m. EST. Bowser confirmed previously released details about the crash and the number of people involved (64 aboard the American Airlines flight and 3 soldiers on the Army helicopter) but would not address fatalities or answer questions about survivors.

Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said that the airport will be closed until at least 11 a.m. EST Thursday.

Bowser said there would be more briefings at daylight. Fire and rescue teams are continuing to work into the night to recover passengers from both aircraft.

UPDATE: 12:49 a.m. EST
President Donald Trump issued a second statement regarding the crash on Truth Social. In the post, Trump raised questions about the accident and stated that it “looks like it should have been prevented.

Donald Trump issues second statement about D.C. plane crash

UPDATE: 12:00 a.m. EST
Law enforcement has confirmed fatalities, and rescuers have not yet pulled any survivors from the water, according to CNN. A police scanner has confirmed that 19 bodies have been recovered so far. Early reports of four survivors being rescued are now in question.

UPDATE: 11:31 p.m. EST
Washington media report that the plane is immersed in about seven feet of water and split in two. The helicopter is upside down in the water, and rescue crews have been unable to reach it due to its instability. Divers from the D.C. police and fire departments are continuing to search for survivors.

UPDATE: 11:19 p.m. EST
President Donald Trump has issued a statement regarding the tragic crash near Washington, D.C. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the message.

“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” Trump said in a statement. “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.”

President Donald Trump issued a statement regarding the plane and helicopter collision near Washington, D.C.

ORIGINAL STORY:
Search and rescue operations are underway in the Potomac River after a passenger jet collided with a helicopter as it approached the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

According to the FAA, “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.”

The jet was an American Eagle flight inbound from Wichita, Kansas. Reports indicate that both aircraft entered the water after impact.

First responders raced to the scene, but ice and frigid temperatures are making rescue and recovery efforts difficult. Water temperatures at the crash site register 35 degrees F, making it both difficult and dangerous for rescue personnel.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall reported that 60 passengers were aboard the plane.

“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families,” Marshall added in a post made to X. “There are no words that can make telling this story any easier. I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident.”

American Airlines has confirmed the passenger count and added that 4 crew members were also aboard the jet. The Army reports that 3 people were aboard the helicopter.

As of press time, 4 survivors have reportedly been rescued from the Potomac River and transported to area hospitals.

Local media report that roughly 100 ambulances are currently on the scene in hopes that more survivors will be found.

This is a developing story.

Share this: