On Wednesday night, a terrible accident happened when a passenger plane and a military helicopter crashed in the sky close to Ronald Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington D.C. The crash occurred while both aircraft were about to land, leading to a fast emergency response and the stopping of all flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the crash took place around 9 p.m. Eastern Time, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter. The collision caused both planes to explode into a huge fireball, creating panic among witnesses.
A shocking video of the crash quickly spread on social media. It showed the moment the two aircraft hit each other in mid-air, followed by a burst of flames. People reacted with disbelief at how serious the accident was.
American Airlines confirmed the incident on social media, stating: “We are aware that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington Reagan National Airport, has been involved in an accident. We will share more information as we get it.”
Immediately after the crash, search-and-rescue teams began looking for survivors in the Potomac River. Emergency teams, including fireboats, were sent to the river, which is located just north of the airport. Various law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Park Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police, joined the rescue efforts to find anyone who might have survived. They also launched inflatable rescue boats for the search.
D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services confirmed they were part of the response and sent fireboats to the scene. The area around the airport was secured, and all flights were temporarily stopped to help the emergency teams.
U.S. government officials were quickly informed about the accident. The White House Press Secretary said that President Donald Trump was updated on the situation. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance asked people on social media to “pray for everyone involved,” showing concern for the passengers and crew.
In response to the crash, air traffic controllers acted fast to redirect other flights away from the airport. A recording revealed one controller asking the helicopter if it could see the passenger plane. Just after the collision, another pilot was heard saying, “Tower, did you see that?”
This crash has reminded many people of another tragedy. In 1982, an Air Florida flight crashed into the Potomac River, killing 78 people due to bad weather. Authorities are now focused on finding out what caused the recent mid-air collision between the American Airlines jet and the helicopter.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently gathering information about the incident. No reports of injuries or deaths have been confirmed yet, and emergency teams are continuing their search. All flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport remain stopped, and officials are working hard to look for survivors.
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