A tragic midair collision occurred near Washington, D.C. involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter, resulting in the loss of all lives onboard. The incident, which took place during the aircraft's landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, has raised questions about the cause of the crash and prompted a full investigation by authorities.
Officials reported Thursday that everyone aboard the American Airlines jet, which collided with an Army helicopter, is feared dead. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members Wednesday night when the helicopter, carrying three soldiers, apparently flew into its flight path during landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.Dozens of bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River in the hours following the midair collision.
This incident could become the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years. The plane's fuselage was discovered upside down, broken into three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also located.D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said first responders on Thursday were searching an area of the Potomac River extending as far south as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, approximately three miles from the airport.There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision. However, officials noted that flight conditions were clear as the jet, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, with U.S. and Russian figure skaters and others on board, was making a routine landing when the helicopter flew into its path.D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly expressed confidence that the remains of those killed in the crash will be recovered, although it may take some time. So far, at least 28 bodies have been recovered.Officials reported that flight conditions were clear when the jet, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, was making a routine landing and the helicopter flew into its path. An Army official confirmed that three soldiers were on board the helicopter during a training flight.American Airlines has established centers in Washington and Wichita, Kansas, to assist people searching for information about family members and loved ones.When asked about President Donald Trump’s overnight social media post that the collision between an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and an Army helicopter could have been prevented, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, 'Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.'Duffy also said passengers should be 'assured' that flying is safe.'I would just say that everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely. That when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn't happen last night and I know that President Trump, his administration, the FAA, the DOT, we will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public. You should be assured that when you fly, you're safe.''We have early indicators of what happened here and I will tell you with complete confidence we have the safest airspace in the world,' Duffy said.Duffy also added that, prior to the collision, the plane and helicopter flight paths 'were not unusual for what happens in the DC airspace''Everything was standard in the lead up to the crash. Obviously there was something that happened here,' Duffy said.Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a somber news conference at the airport in which she declined to say how many bodies had been recovered,'This morning we all share a profound sense of grief,' Bowser said.Authorities have yet to determine the cause of Wednesday's collision, but all takeoffs and landings at Ronald Reagan National Airport were suspended until at least 11 a.m. Dive teams searched the site, while law enforcement helicopters from across the region conducted a search for bodies.Images from the river showed boats surrounding the partially submerged wing and what appeared to be the mangled wreckage of the plane's fuselage.
AIR CRASH FATALITIES WASHINGTON D.C. RONALD REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARMY HELICOPTER MIDAIR COLLISION INVESTIGATION
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