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A Commercial jet with 64 civil on board collided with an army helicopter As he approached Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC on Wednesday evening and left law enforcement officials rushing.
A massive search and rescue operation for survivors, involving several agencies, launched in the nearby Potomac RiverWhere the temperature was 42 degrees.
The crash occurred around Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC at 8:47 on Wednesday evening. An American airlins
The airport will remain closed until 11:00 when helicopters from law enforcement authorities throughout the region flew across the site in search of survivors. Inflatable rescue boats were launched in Potomac River From a point near the airport along George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport.
Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center Shows two sets of lights that are compatible with separate aircraft that appear to be united in a large fireball.
President Donald Trump Said he had “been informed of this terrible accident” and with reference to the passengers, added, “May God bless their souls.” The president later wrote that the tragedy “should have been avoided.”
While issues remain, including how the terrible incident could have occurred in the heavily monitored air space so close to Pentagon, here is what we know so far:
Many of the victims were in Kansas to compete in the national figure skating championships
A group of them aboard the American Airlines flight was figure riders and buses who was in Wichita to compete in the national figure skating championships that went from January 20 and 26. Some stayed for a conference, according to Team USA -riders Luke Wang.
Two of the people aboard American Airlines Flight have been named Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, they were 1994 World Figure Skating Championship winner.
Russian news agencies have said that there were several passengers on board who were Russian immigrants or children to Emigre.
Tass named another victim to the legendary Soviet Union Figure Skater Inna Volyanskaya.
The Federal aviation administration Later confirmed that a commercial flight had collided with a helicopter, which was later revealed to be a Black Hawk helicopter piloted by the army.
About at. At 23.40, a law enforcement officer told CNN that it had some confirmed fatal accidents but that rescuers had not yet drawn any survivors from the water.
Who was aboard American Airlines Flight?
About 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the passenger plane, which is run by American Airlines.
According to the airline, American Eagle Flight 5342 had been on its way from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, DC when the collision occurred.
“Our concern is for the passengers and the crew aboard the aircraft. We are in contact with the authorities and help with emergency operations, ”said American Airlines in a statement.
Concerned family members gathered near the site waiting for information about their loved ones. Hamaad Raza, whose wife was aboard, said she had texted him 20 minutes before the incident told him they would land.
When his answer stopped being delivered, “that’s when I knew something could be up,” he told CNN.
The association of air hosts, representing cabin herds at PSA Airlines, said in a statement that there were two flight hosts aboard the plane.
“While we are mobilizing to support families and crews that are directly affected by this incident, we also send strength to all first respondents who do everything they can to get survivors in safety,” said Union President Sara Nelson.
Who was at Black Hawk Military Helicopter?
Three US Army soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision, confirmed an American official on Wednesday.
The official, who talked about the condition of anonymity, said that the soldier’s status was unknown, but added that no senior officials were on the helicopter.
Another official said that the Army UH-60 helicopter involved in the crash was based from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It was later confirmed that the aircraft and its crew were on a training flight.
What has President Donald Trump said about the incident?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been informed about the situation, while Transport Secretary Sean Duffy – who was confirmed just two days ago – said he was present at FAA HQ to monitor the situation.
In a statement released via Leavitt, Trump said: “I have been completely informed about the terrible accident that just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work that our first answers have done.”
In a post on X, vice president JD Vance urged people to “say a prayer for anyone involved in the middle of the air near Reagan Airport tonight. We monitor the situation, but for now we will hope for the best, ”he said.
Meanwhile, recently confirmed Homeland security Secretary Christ’s calling In a statement on social media, the department “deployed all available US Coast Guard resources for search and rescue efforts.”
She added: “We actively monitor the situation and are ready to support local respondents.” Noem expressed its concerns and prayers for the victims and first respondents.
Virginia representative Don Beyer added: “I follow the answer to a reported aviation event at DCA and am in contact with the airport officials when we try to learn more about what happened and why. This is obviously very worrying, but I urge society to please let the first respondents do their jobs and save lives. “
