By News Zier Editorial Team | Reviewed and approved by Editor-in-Chief to ensure accuracy and integrity.
Tragic Mid-Air Crash Over the Potomac
Washington, D.C. – A catastrophic mid-air collision occurred Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft crashed into the icy Potomac River, with multiple fatalities feared.
Collision Details
The passenger jet, travelling from Wichita, Kansas, carried 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter, conducting a military training mission, had three soldiers aboard. According to preliminary reports, the collision happened as the jet approached Reagan National Airport for landing.
Radio transmissions suggest the helicopter crew was aware of the incoming plane but was unable to manoeuvre in time. Aviation experts say such incidents are rare, given modern air traffic control systems and collision-avoidance technology.
Casualty Reports
Officials have not yet confirmed a death toll, but U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed deep sorrow, stating:
“It’s really hard when you lose probably over 60 Kansans simultaneously. When many, many, many people die, it’s an unbearable sorrow.”
According to CBS News, at least 18 bodies have been recovered, and authorities fear the number could rise as search operations continue.
Investigation and Response
The Pentagon has launched a full-scale investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are assisting, alongside military officials.
Jack Potter, President of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, confirmed that rescue teams remain in “recovery mode,” prioritizing search efforts in the icy waters of the Potomac.
Former President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, questioned whether the air traffic controllers or the helicopter crew could have taken evasive action, given the clear weather conditions at the time.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
Disclaimer: This article was informed by reports from Reuters and adapted by the News Zier Editorial Team for clarity and additional context.
For more details: visit the original report on Reuters.