Both Aircraft in Water Following Collision Between American Airlines Plane and Military Helicopter in Washington DC | US News
A search and rescue mission is currently underway following the collision of a passenger plane and a military helicopter over a significant river in Washington DC.
The American Airlines flight, carrying 60 passengers along with four crew members, was in the process of landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at the time of the mid-air accident.
The military helicopter had three soldiers onboard.
Latest on the Washington crash: Stay updated as rescue efforts proceed
Pic: Getty
Emergency responders in the Potomac River. Pic: Andrew Harnik/Getty
There are reported fatalities, as indicated by a source referenced by the Associated Press news agency; however, officials did not confirm any deaths during a news conference.
The exact number of victims remains uncertain as rescue teams persist in searching the Potomac River.
Approximately 300 responders, alongside inflatable boats and multiple helicopters, are engaged in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Pic: Andrew Harnik/Getty
In a statement released late on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude towards first responders for their “remarkable work”, mentioning he was “monitoring the situation and will provide further details as they develop”.
He added: “May God Bless their souls.”
Vice President JD Vance also urged his social media followers to “say a prayer for everyone involved”.
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‘I need you to land’ – audio from crash
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall stated that “when one person loses their life it’s a tragedy, but when numerous lives are lost, it becomes an unbearable sorrow”.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will remain closed until at least 4pm UK time.
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Fire chief updates on rescue operation after crash
The FAA reported that the mid-air incident occurred around 9pm local time when a regional jet that had just departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter engaged in training, while approaching the airport runway.
This incident took place in one of the most rigorously monitored and controlled airspaces globally, just over three miles south of the White House and the US Capitol.
For more information:
Washington plane crash: What we know so far
Audio captured from the air traffic control tower around the time of the incident includes a controller inquiring, “PAT25, do you see the CRJ?”, referring to the passenger aircraft.
“Tower, did you witness that?” another pilot is heard saying moments after the apparent collision.
