From Rescue to Recovery
In a somber update from Washington’s Reagan National Airport, Fire Chief John Donnelly announced the transition from a rescue to a recovery operation after a passenger jet and a military helicopter collided midair, plunging into the icy Potomac River. The incident, occurring late Thursday, has left no hope for survivors, with 28 bodies already recovered, including one from the helicopter.
Harsh Conditions for First Responders
The operation was conducted under severe conditions – frigid temperatures, high winds, and ice on the water – with around 300 first responders working through the night. Emergency vessels and diving teams searched a wide area of the river as dawn broke, highlighting the scale of the disaster response.
The Collision Details
The passenger jet, a Bombardier operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, was on its approach to Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and four crew members. The military helicopter, a Black Hawk, was engaged in a training flight with three soldiers aboard. Both aircraft were supposedly on standard flight paths on a night with clear visibility.
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Investigations and Early Statements
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hinted at the preventability of the crash, though specific causes remain under investigation. Air traffic control recordings indicated confusion, with controllers asking if the helicopter had visual on the jet moments before the disaster. President Donald Trump took to social media to criticize the air traffic control’s handling of the situation.
Witness Accounts
Eyewitness Ari Schulman described seeing a “stream of sparks” and the plane banking sharply before the crash, likening it to a “Roman candle.”
Impact on Aviation and Public Response
The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights at Reagan National in the aftermath, with operations resuming later in the morning. American Airlines’ CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow, and there was widespread shock and mourning, especially as it was revealed that several figure skating athletes, coaches, and officials were among the victims, including notable figures like Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Historical Context
This incident adds to the history of aviation tragedies near the nation’s capital, recalling the 1982 Air Florida crash at the same airport, which also involved a plane crashing into the Potomac River.
The collision raises serious questions about air traffic management and the safety protocols in one of the world’s most densely trafficked airspaces, especially given the presence of both civilian and military aircraft.