18 dead after American Airlines Jet collides with Army Helicopter

WASHINGTON, Jan 30: At least 18 people have been confirmed dead following a tragic midair collision between a regional jet operated by American Airlines and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.

The American Airlines Flight 5342, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, was approaching the airport after departing from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter. The crash occurred over the Potomac River, which borders the airport.

American Airlines confirmed the involvement of their flight in the incident. “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita to Washington, DC, was involved in an accident at DCA. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft,” the airline said in a statement, expressing concern for the passengers and crew. The airline is in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched in the river, and the airport temporarily suspended all takeoffs and landings in response to the emergency.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash.

This incident marks the first fatal US passenger plane crash since February 2009, though recent years have seen a number of near-miss events, raising serious concerns about aviation safety.

US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and expressed his condolences, saying, “May God Bless their souls,” and thanked first responders for their efforts.