Scores feared dead as passenger plane, helicopter collide mid-air
Story by Dajen Comfort Yakubu
A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided mid-air near Ronald Reagan National Airport, prompting a major emergency response and the suspension of all airport operations.
According to Al Jazeera, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft involved were a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as an American Airlines flight, and a US Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The passenger plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three personnel on board.
Al Jazeera reported an “enormous response” at the scene, including emergency vehicles and boats.
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“This is the main local airport serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. We believe that both aircraft are in the river, which is of enormous concern. We were told that, at best, someone could survive about an hour and a half in this water.”
Authorities have not yet provided official information on casualties.
Video footage shared on social media appears to show the moment of impact, followed by an explosion.
Reports indicate that an air traffic controller had instructed the helicopter to pass behind the approaching aircraft moments before the collision.
Government officials, including President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, have been briefed on the situation.
Trump stated that he had been “fully briefed” on the “terrible accident”.
Senator Ted Cruz confirmed fatalities but did not provide specific numbers.
The FAA announced that Ronald Reagan National Airport would remain closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Defence have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
If confirmed, “This would be the first fatal incident involving a US commercial airline since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 fatalities.
Ronald Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to Washington, DC, and a key hub for domestic travel.
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