A devastating mid-air collision occurred over Washington, D.C., near Ronald Reagan National Airport. An American Airlines passenger jet crashed into a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, causing both aircraft to plunge into the Potomac River.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Authorities have confirmed that 30 bodies have been recovered so far. The passenger plane carried 60 people, including former world figure skating champions returning from a competition in Kansas. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors.
Air Traffic Control Conversations Before the Crash
Just before the accident, air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan National Airport attempted to guide the aircraft safely:
- Air Traffic Control: “PAT-25 (passenger jet), do you have CRJ (passenger jet) in sight?”
- Pilot: “ROAD-25 is behind CRJ.”
- Air Traffic Control: “Did you see that? Go around. Maintain 3,000. Go around.”
- Air Traffic Control: “Blackjack three, can you return to base? Keep going straight. You need to land.”
- Air Traffic Control: “Can you go to The Dalles for a few minutes? Contact Dulles Air.”
- Air Traffic Control: “Can you fly to Baltimore?”
These were the last recorded instructions before the collision. Investigators will analyze these communications to determine what went wrong.
Flight and Crash Details
The American Airlines flight originated from Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter, departing from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, carried three soldiers.
Following the crash, emergency teams swiftly deployed three rescue boats to the site. “At 8:48 p.m., we received an alert from the FAA Tower about the crash. Our units responded immediately, requesting additional resources,” said Richard Bonnet of the Washington Airports Authority.
Presidential Response
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his concerns, stating he was “fully informed about the tragic accident.” He questioned why the air traffic control tower failed to prevent the crash, highlighting the need for improved aviation safety protocols.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are working together to uncover the cause of this horrific accident.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.elicopter what to do instead of asking if it saw the plane? This is a bad situation that should have been prevented. Not good,” Trump wrote on his platform.
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