January 30th 2025.
On Wednesday, January 29, a tragic accident occurred over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It was a collision between a military helicopter and a commercial plane, causing devastation and heartache for those involved. The American Airlines Flight 5342, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was trying to land when it collided with the Sikorsky Black Hawk Military helicopter. According to NBC Washington, the commercial aircraft broke apart upon impact and sank into about seven feet of water.
The plane was a Bombardier CRJ700, operated by PSA Airlines, a regional airline that is owned by American Airlines. As the rescue teams arrived at the scene, they were met with a heartbreaking sight. John Donnelly, the D.C. fire and EMS chief, shared in a press conference the unfortunate news that they were no longer conducting a rescue operation but had shifted to a recovery operation. He also stated that they did not believe there were any survivors from the accident. Tragically, 27 bodies had already been recovered from the passenger jet.
It was a devastating loss for the families of the passengers, who included U.S. and Russian figure skaters returning from a training camp in Wichita. This camp was held in preparation for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that took place over the weekend. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the media in a press conference, stating that the American Airlines flight was following a standard flight pattern as it approached DCA. He also mentioned that it was not uncommon for military aircraft to fly over the river while commercial planes landed at the airport.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, expressed his concern for the passengers and crew on board Flight 5342 in a statement on the company's website. He also provided a toll-free number for those who believed their loved ones may have been on board the flight. Isom urged anyone calling from outside the U.S. to visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands could call the number directly.
As authorities worked tirelessly to recover the wreckage and investigate the cause of the accident, DCA Airport remained closed. However, according to updated reports, it was scheduled to reopen at 11 a.m. Eastern today. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers and risks associated with air travel, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this devastating event.
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