A devastating air collision in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night resulted in 28 confirmed fatalities, with the Fire Department verifying that there are no survivors. The incident involved a military Black Hawk helicopter and a regional airline American Eagle commercial plane, both crashing into the waters of the Potomac River.
The commercial flight carried 60 passengers along with four crew members, while the helicopter had three individuals on board, possibly increasing the total victim count to 67. John Donnelly, Washington’s chief of fire and emergency services, confirmed on Thursday that there were no survivors, and at least 28 bodies have been retrieved from the river.
“At this point, we do not believe there are any survivors. We have recovered 27 individuals from the plane and one from the helicopter,” Donnelly reported at a press conference.
Rescue teams, working tirelessly throughout the night in the frigid waters, have transitioned the operation from rescue to recovery, successfully retrieving the bodies of the victims.
American Eagle Flight 5342, departing from Wichita, Kansas, was on its approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the Black Hawk helicopter at 8:48 p.m. local time (01:48 GMT). Among the passengers were athletes and coaches, including former world ice skating champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, confirmed the wreckage of both aircraft had been located, explaining that the American Eagle plane was on a standard approach to the airport when the collision occurred. According to Duffy, the plane's fuselage was discovered in three separate sections in shallow waters.
Despite clear skies and no strong winds at the time of the accident, the freezing water temperature, at just four degrees Celsius, and ice patches complicated the rescue efforts.
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, temporarily closed following the accident, is set to resume operations at 11:00 a.m. local time (16:00 GMT) today.
Authorities, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), continue to investigate the causes of this catastrophic event, which, if confirmed as the deadliest in the U.S. in nearly 24 years, has plunged the nation into mourning.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump began a press conference with a minute of silence to honor the victims of this tragic event.
Investigation into the Washington Air Collision
What caused the collision between the Black Hawk helicopter and the American Eagle plane?
The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other authorities. Both aircraft were on typical flight paths before the accident occurred.
How many victims were there in this tragic accident?
The collision resulted in 28 confirmed fatalities, with ongoing recovery operations potentially increasing the total number of victims to 67.
What measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
The investigation by the NTSB will likely lead to recommendations for improving air traffic control procedures and other safety measures to prevent future collisions.