
(VitalNews.org) – In a shocking turn of events, a PSA Airlines jet collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
The crash involved an American Eagle flight carrying 64 passengers and crew as the aircraft approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from Wichita, Kansas.
The Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, was on a training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
As of right now, at least 19 bodies have been recovered, with no survivors found. However, the lack of any meaningful development suggests that all aboard the aircraft are presumed dead.
President Donald Trump swiftly responded to the tragedy. He said, “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.”
“May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” he added.
The incident has sparked concerns about airspace management and the potential risks associated with military training flights near civilian airports.
Some are already questioning why such exercises are conducted near busy commercial air corridors, especially in an area as sensitive as Washington, D.C.
“It’s a highly complex operation, the conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions,” said District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly.
The crash has resulted in three debris fields in the Potomac River, complicating search and rescue efforts.
About 300 responders are on the scene, battling challenging conditions with water temperatures at a cold 36 degrees.
This incident marks the first major U.S. commercial air crash in almost 16 years, raising alarm bells about the state of our aviation safety measures.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) expressed the heartbreak felt by many, stating, “Tonight, we received devastating news of what can only be described as nothing short of a nightmare.
He continued, “My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim, and that he continues to be with their families.”
The National Transportation Safety Board will begin the investigation with support from the FBI.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be closed almost all morning today, causing significant disruptions. At least 19 flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport.
🚨#BREAKING: A newly surfaced photo shows the wreckage of PSA America Airlines Flight 5342, which plunged into the Potomac River earlier tonight while attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in D.C pic.twitter.com/idq5zekNQh
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 30, 2025
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