American Jet
On Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided mid-air with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, according to officials. The tragic incident has resulted in fatalities, as confirmed by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, though the exact number of casualties has not yet been disclosed.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that PSA Airlines was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines when the collision occurred while the aircraft was approaching Reagan Airport.
The flight had originated from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying 60 passengers along with four crew members. American Airlines acknowledged the incident on social media, confirming that the aircraft involved was an American Eagle jet operated by PSA Airlines. The airline expressed concern for those affected and stated that they were closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army confirmed that one of its Black Hawk helicopters was involved in the crash. Reports indicate that three soldiers were aboard the military helicopter at the time of the collision.
Following the accident, emergency response teams launched a large-scale search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which runs alongside the airport. Multiple agencies were involved in the efforts to locate survivors.
Authorities temporarily suspended all takeoffs and landings at Reagan Airport while emergency personnel responded to the situation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it was gathering further details to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision.
According to The Washington Post, multiple bodies have been recovered from the water, while NBC News reported that four individuals had been pulled alive from the Potomac River. The full extent of the casualties remains unclear as rescue operations continue.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents flight attendants working for PSA Airlines, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event.
She confirmed that two AFA flight attendants were aboard the regional jet and assured that the union was mobilizing to support the affected families and crews. She also extended gratitude to first responders working tirelessly to save lives.
Similarly, the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents PSA pilots, issued a statement expressing shock and sadness over the incident. The organization pledged its support to the NTSB’s investigation and extended condolences to all those impacted by the tragedy.
This incident marks a significant moment in U.S. aviation history, as it is the first fatal passenger airplane accident in the country since February 2009. In recent years, a series of near-miss incidents have raised concerns over aviation safety, prompting calls for stricter measures to prevent such tragedies.
As investigations continue, authorities will seek to determine the factors leading to the mid-air collision and assess whether additional safety protocols are needed to prevent similar accidents in the future.
