A tragic and terrifying crash between an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter has left authorities scrambling to find survivors.
The collision, which took place just before 9 p.m. near Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan International Airport, has triggered an extensive search and rescue mission, with dive teams searching the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
The Details of the Collision
The crash occurred as American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700, was approaching the airport from Wichita, Kansas.
The plane, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which was carrying three soldiers on a training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a large-scale search operation involving the DC Fire Department and emergency responders has been underway to locate any survivors.
As of now, at least 19 people have been confirmed dead, though NBC Washington reports that rescue crews managed to pull at least four people to safety from the river.
The Moment of Impact
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the two aircrafts collided.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing sparks and flames shoot from the plane as it descended.
One observer described the aircraft as “looking like a giant Roman candle,” while another reported hearing a loud bang followed by the sight of something falling.
The crash split the American Airlines plane in half, sending it plunging into the Potomac River.
The Black Hawk helicopter was also left upside down and unstable.
Videos from nearby cameras, including one at the Kennedy Center, show two sets of lights appearing to merge into a fireball in the sky, indicating the catastrophic nature of the collision.
Search and Rescue Efforts Intensify
Search and rescue teams from local, state, and federal agencies quickly mobilized to assist with the operation.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin confirmed that first responders from northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland had all come to the scene.
The Maryland State Police deployed divers, while the U.S. Coast Guard and FBI also joined the effort to locate survivors.
The water temperature in the Potomac River at the time of the crash was around 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer, this chilling water temperature limits the survival window to just 15 to 20 minutes before hypothermia sets in.
Airport Closed and Travel Disrupted
In response to the crash, Reagan National Airport was shut down immediately.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that all takeoffs and landings were suspended, with the airport remaining closed until at least 5 a.m. on Friday.
The incident has drawn attention from top officials, including those within the Trump administration.
Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced he was on-site at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters, and the White House has expressed its support for the ongoing rescue efforts.
As the investigation continues, the country remains in shock over the tragic loss of life, while authorities work tirelessly to uncover more details about the crash and its aftermath.
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