An American Airlines Passenger Plane has collided with a US army helicopter outside of Washington DC.
(PLGNN) - American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a United States Army Blackhawk Helicopter late Wednesday night. The collision happened in midair, near Reagan National Airport, outside of Washington DC.
The plane, which was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, took off from Wichita, Kansas, and was due to land at Reagan National Airport before it collided with the army helicopter. The US army Blackhawk was reportedly on a training flight at the time of the collision.
American Airlines said that there was 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board the flight. A US defense official had a crew of 3, with no VIPs present.
DC Police, DC Fire, and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia said in a joint statement that there were no "confirmed information on casualties" at this time.
The Fire Chief of DC said that all search and rescue operations taking place are in the water and extremely dangerous. “The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in," he said.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team is assisting in rescue and recovery efforts.
President Donald Trump posted to his social media site, Truth Social, saying, "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and no casualties have been confirmed.
(PLGNN) - American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a United States Army Blackhawk Helicopter late Wednesday night. The collision happened in midair, near Reagan National Airport, outside of Washington DC.
The plane, which was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, took off from Wichita, Kansas, and was due to land at Reagan National Airport before it collided with the army helicopter. The US army Blackhawk was reportedly on a training flight at the time of the collision.
American Airlines said that there was 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board the flight. A US defense official had a crew of 3, with no VIPs present.
DC Police, DC Fire, and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia said in a joint statement that there were no "confirmed information on casualties" at this time.
The Fire Chief of DC said that all search and rescue operations taking place are in the water and extremely dangerous. “The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in," he said.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office dive team is assisting in rescue and recovery efforts.
President Donald Trump posted to his social media site, Truth Social, saying, "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and no casualties have been confirmed.
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