Passenger Jet Collides with Military Helicopter Near Washington DC
A passenger jet and a military helicopter collided near Washington DC, resulting in fatalities and a major emergency response.
Washington DC, Reagan National Airport, American Airlines, Black Hawk Helicopter, PSA Airlines, Potomac River
Washington DC: A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday night. The incident happened near Reagan Washington National Airport.
Officials confirmed that an American Airlines regional jet was involved. It was operating as Flight 5342, which had just left Wichita, Kansas.
Senator Ted Cruz mentioned on social media that there are fatalities, but he didn’t specify how many. Rescue teams quickly gathered to respond to the situation.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reported the mid-air collision involved a PSA Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Police stated that multiple agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. The airport halted all takeoffs and landings during the emergency response.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident. There hasn’t been a fatal U.S. passenger airplane accident since February 2009.
American Airlines acknowledged the reports about Flight 5342 and promised to share more information as it becomes available.