67 people are feared dead after a passenger jet and army helicopter collided and crashed into the freezing Potomac River in Washington DC. The passenger jet, an American Airlines Flight 5342, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
It had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was approaching landing at the Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, with a CRJ-700.
“Flight 5342 was under the command of 4 crew members and carried 60 passengers for a total of 64 people on board. We are actively working with local state and federal authorities on emergency response, efforts and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist our passengers and their families,” American Airlines chief executive officer Robert Isom told the media in a briefing.
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Three US army soldiers were onboard the Black Hawk military helicopter that collided with the jet in the Washington DC plane crash.
Hours after the tragedy, the CNN reported that rescue teams were yet to rescue anyone from the crash alive. There was, however, confirmation of casualties.
Reacting to the tragedy, US President Donald Trump stated that the accident could have been prevented.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane,” said President Trump. “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
