Twenty individuals have been confirmed dead following a tragic incident involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 passenger plane that collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
The unfortunate event occurred around 9 PM on Wednesday (02:00 GMT Thursday).
Reports suggest that the aircraft, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, was nearing the airport after departing from Wichita, Kansas, when it struck the helicopter over the Potomac River, adjacent to the airport.
In the aftermath of the collision, a search and rescue operation were launched in the river, leading to a temporary suspension of all operation (take-offs and landings) at the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident to gather further information on what really led to the cause of the crash.
Notably, there has not been a fatal passenger plane crash in the U.S. since February 2009, although a number of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised significant safety concerns.
In her post of her official X handle following the tragic event, Kamala Harris former Vice President of US, said President Donald Trump needs to IMMEDIATELY lift the hiring freeze on air traffic controllers and re-hire the FAA Administrator.
“If the tragic American Airlines Blackhawk plain crash in DC has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be investing more in public safety – not less,” she noted.
In response to the tragedy, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident” and is closely monitoring the situation. “May God bless their souls,” Trump expressed, also extending gratitude to the first responders for their remarkable efforts.
