What We Know About Washington DC Air Crash

A US commercial airliner and a military helicopter collided over Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening, crashing into the Potomac River. The crash triggered an extensive rescue operation, with multiple bodies recovered from the icy waters.

Incident Overview:

• At 9:00 pm (0200 GMT), a Bombardier jet operated by American Airlines' PSA subsidiary, en route from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a Black Hawk military helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
• Footage from the Kennedy Center showed the two aircraft approaching each other before the collision, which produced a fireball. Both crashed into the Potomac River.

Casualties:

• The commercial flight had 60 passengers and four crew members, while three military personnel were aboard the helicopter.
• Initial casualty reports remain unclear, though multiple bodies have been recovered. Media reports indicate at least 18 bodies were found.
• Some members of the US figure skating community were aboard the plane, including Russian champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Rescue Effort:

• A large-scale rescue operation is ongoing, with over 300 workers involved. Rescue teams face challenging conditions, including pitch-dark, icy waters, and dangerous winds.
• Rescue boats and helicopters with searchlights have been deployed, and the Coast Guard is assisting. Authorities anticipate the search could last several days.

Avoidability:

• Former President Donald Trump criticized the collision, questioning why the helicopter did not avoid the plane despite clear visibility and questioning the response from air traffic control.
• Trump argued the crash should have been preventable, given the clear approach path of the plane.

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