Rescue teams are working tirelessly, but officials warn that extreme cold and treacherous conditions could severely hinder their efforts. Families wait anxiously for news as first responders search through the wreckage
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A Catastrophic Midair Collision
The crash occurred just before 9:00 p.m. on January 29, when American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport. The passenger jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter, with three soldiers aboard, was conducting a routine training exercise when disaster struck.
Air traffic controllers had instructed the helicopter to adjust its position, and the pilot confirmed visual contact before tragedy unfolded seconds later. CCTV footage captured the horrific moment the aircraft collided, erupting in flames before both plummeted into the freezing river below.
A Desperate Search for Survivors
Emergency teams are battling near-freezing temperatures and strong winds as they search for survivors. The Potomac River, at 35°F, poses a severe risk of hypothermia. As of Thursday, 28 bodies have been recovered—27 from the plane and one from the helicopter—without any survivors found.
Families Gripped by Uncertainty
Inside Reagan National Airport, loved ones who had been awaiting arrivals now face the unthinkable. Among them, Hamaad Raza clutches his phone, re-reading the last message from his wife, sent just before impact: “We’re landing in 20.”
Several passengers had ties to the U.S. figure skating community, including former world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, devastating their peers and fans alike.
National Response and Investigation
Reagan National Airport remains closed as authorities investigate. The NTSB and FAA are reviewing flight records and communications to determine the cause of the disaster. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump expressed condolences but questioned why the helicopter failed to maneuver away, calling the situation “preventable.”
A Community in Mourning
This marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009. Wichita, Kansas, the flight’s departure city, has planned a prayer vigil to honor the victims. As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns a tragedy that will leave a lasting impact.
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