Tragedy as passenger plane collides with army helicopter
Plane crash in the USA. A passenger plane collided with a helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Airport outside Washington, D.C. According to CBS News, citing police, there are at least 18 fatalities.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred just before 9 PM local time.
As reported by CNN, the passenger plane, which crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Airport outside Washington, D.C., collided in mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while approaching the runway. This information was provided in a statement by the Federal Aviation Administration.
ABC News reports that according to two U.S. officials, the Black Hawk helicopter belonged to the U.S. Army. There were reportedly three people on board.
The Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane belonged to PSA Airlines, a part of the American Airlines Group. It had departed from Wichita, Kansas and was scheduled to land in Washington, D.C. American Airlines informed CNN that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
A rescue operation is underway at the crash site. According to CBS News, citing police, at least 18 bodies have been recovered.
Plane crash in the USA. Footage from surveillance cameras
Footage has appeared on social media from EarthCam's network of webcams, showing the moment of the collision. A flash can be seen in the video.
Air traffic at Reagan Airport, which mainly handles domestic flights, has been halted.
"All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open," announced Reagan Airport on social media.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has been informed of the accident.
"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," wrote Donald Trump in a statement released by the White House.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance appealed on social media for prayers for those involved in the accident.
"Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best," Vance wrote on X platform.
