- As passenger plane collides with Military helicopter
- President Trump commends emergency responders
A Passenger plane carrying about 60 persons has crashed near Washington DC after colliding mid-air with a military helicopter
Confirming the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday night that a PSA Airlines regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington national airport.
This is as multiple media sources reported that at least 19 bodies had been recovered by 2:50 a.m. ET from the Potomac river, where both aircraft fell. About 300 first responders were working on the rescue operation.
The Potomac River is about 8 feet deep where the aircraft crashed at about 9pm local time on Wednesday night
A law enforcement source familiar with ongoing investigation and rescue efforts quoted an American Airlines official as stating that there were 60 passengers and four crew onboard, even as a US senator, Roger Marshall, wrote in his post on X that there were “roughly 60 passengers” on the flight.
According to the FAA, PSA-operated flight 5342 for American Airlines had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
Also, the American Airlines’ website indicated that the jet has capacity for 65 passengers, even as the Police disclosed that multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.
With no immediate word on casualties, the airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was gathering more information.
Meanwhile, reacting to the unfortunate air incident, US President Donald Trump has thanked emergency responders, saying he is monitoring the ‘terrible accident’
In a statement issued on the collision, President Trump said he has been briefed on the “terrible accident” and praising the “incredible work” done by emergency services.
He said; “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls.
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“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.”
Earlier White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump “has been made aware of this situation and tragically it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport.”
“The thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved” she added in an interview on Fox News and asked the public to follow direction form law enforcement “as they attempt to save lives”.
However, reports citing US Defense officials stated that the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers, adding that no senior army officials were onboard.
