American Airlines jet collides with Army Black Hawk near Reagan Airport

Authorities are currently investigating a plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. According to DC Fire and EMS, a small aircraft went down near the airport on Wednesday night, landing in the Potomac River. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the incident involved a collision between a military helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 around 9 p.m. as the plane was approaching DCA for landing.
DC Police have clarified that their helicopters were not involved in the crash.
In response to the emergency, all flights at Reagan National have been suspended while rescue teams search for victims. American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board at the time of the crash. Multiple agencies are now coordinating ground and air rescue operations.
Reagan Airport issued a statement around 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, announcing the suspension of all takeoffs and landings. They confirmed that emergency teams were responding to the incident on the airfield, though the terminal remains open. Updates are expected as the situation develops.
The crash has drawn attention from lawmakers, including Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, who commented on the incident. Senator Roger Marshall, also from Kansas, tweeted about the collision, noting that the flight involved was inbound from Wichita, KS. He urged the public to join in prayer for the passengers and their families as authorities work to gather more information.
As the search continues, officials have not yet reported any survivors. Time is critical in such rescue efforts, particularly given the frigid conditions of the Potomac River, which is currently around 42 degrees. At these temperatures, a person can typically survive only 30 to 40 minutes in the water.
Courtesy of the Washington Examiner
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