logo
American Airlines CEO Says 'We Don't Know Why' Black Hawk Helicopter 'Came into the Path' of Plane

American Airlines CEO Says 'We Don't Know Why' Black Hawk Helicopter 'Came into the Path' of Plane

Yahoo30-01-2025

An American Airlines plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29
On the morning of Thursday Jan. 30, authorities said they don't believe there were any survivors
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the crash took place'on an otherwise normal approach' for the plane as it prepared to land at Reagan National Airport
The CEO of American Airlines is seeking answers about the mid-air collision of a military helicopter and one of its regional passenger planes while it was trying to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, just before 9 p.m., an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers collided with an American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, resulting in a fiery collision that sent both plummeting into the nearby Potomac River.
Authorities have said they do not believe there were any survivors.
Related: American Airlines Flight Carrying 60 Passengers and 4 Crew Split in Half After Helicopter Collision: Report
In a press conference on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 30, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom shared what he knew 'at this early stage.'
American Eagle Flight 5342, a CRJ 700 operated by PSA airlines, he said, 'was involved in an accident' on its 'final approach into Reagan National."
The plane "collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach,' he said.
'And at this time, we don't know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft flight 5342," he said.
The plane reportedly split in two when it landed in the frigid water, NBC Washington reported.
The Army Black Hawk helicopter was reportedly upside down in the river, making it difficult for rescuers to enter it, sources told NBC Washington.
Related: Authorities Say They 'Don't Believe There Are Any Survivors' Expected from American Airlines Crash Over Washington D.C.
Seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the Black Hawk, PAT 25, if it had the CJR 'in sight,' according to audio obtained by the Associated Press.
The controller made another radio call to the helicopter seconds later, saying, 'PAT 25, pass behind the CRJ.'
The Black Hawk did not respond to the warnings, according to the AP. Moments later, the two aircraft crashed into each other.
During the press conference, Isom expressed his devastation about the tragedy.
'We're absolutely heartbroken for the family and loved ones of the passengers and crew members and also for those that were on the military aircraft,' he said. 'Our focus right now is doing everything that we can to support all of those involved and also the PSA Airlines team. This is devastating.'
Isom added, 'I know that there are many questions at this early stage. I just won't be able to answer many, but we'll provide additional information as it comes.'
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had strong words about the crash.
'It is not standard to have aircraft collide,' he said at the press conference. 'I'll be clear on that.
'But prior to the collision, the flight paths that were being flown from the military and from American, that was not unusual for what happens in the D.C. airspace.'
Isom urged any family and friends of those on board to call their toll-free designated helpline at 1-800-679-8215 for information.
Read the original article on People

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

What Would Actually Happen If You Tried to Open the Airplane Emergency Door Mid-flight?
What Would Actually Happen If You Tried to Open the Airplane Emergency Door Mid-flight?

Travel + Leisure

time21 hours ago

  • Travel + Leisure

What Would Actually Happen If You Tried to Open the Airplane Emergency Door Mid-flight?

The most important thing in the exit row on a plane isn't the extra legroom—it's the emergency door. These doors are strategically located throughout the aircraft so that passengers can easily evacuate, regardless of whether they're in first class or the last row. The Airbus A380—the world's largest commercial aircraft—has 16 emergency doors. That's approximately one for every 50 passengers. While part of the flight attendant safety speech includes pointing out where the nearest emergency doors can be found, it doesn't include the answer to one burning question. What happens if you try to open the emergency door mid-flight? If you ask American Airlines First Officer Steve Scheibner, nothing would happen if you tried to open the door—because you can't open the emergency door mid-flight. Unless you're capable of lifting 25,000 pounds, it's physically impossible. 'Once this door gets pressurized in flight, it's nine pounds per square inch,' says Scheibner, who goes by Captain Steeeve on TikTok where he has more than 380,000 followers. Another pilot-turned-social media sensation explains it further on YouTube: 'We pressurize our aircraft to a lower altitude so that you guys can breathe,' says Pilot PascalKlr. 'The inside pressure pushes the door in its frame.' Scientists liken it to how a drain plug works. Given the small size of sink and bath drains, it takes a substantial amount of effort to pick them up. Also, most emergency exit doors on planes open inwards. Still, physics isn't the only thing keeping emergency doors closed during flights. On most commercial aircraft, all cabin doors automatically lock once the plane has reached a certain speed. According to Scheibner, it's approximately 80 knots (92 miles per hour). They can't be manually unlocked until the plane slows down again. Obviously, these locks weren't customary back in 1971 when the infamous 'D.B. Cooper' parachuted out of a Boeing 727's rear door with $200,000 in cash somewhere over southeastern Washington. In fact, because hijacking passenger planes was common in the late '60s and early '70s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amended their safety regulations in 1972 and started requiring large passenger aircraft exits to be designed so that they can't be opened during flight. Exit sign in an airplane. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Even though it's not possible to open an emergency door mid-flight, people have tried. In fact, every year passengers make headlines for trying to do so. A few weeks ago, an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Houston was diverted to Seattle after an unruly passenger kept trying to open the emergency doors. Cabin crew and fellow passengers managed to restrain him using zip ties. Upon landing in Seattle, the passenger was handed over to the local police and FBI. And when an American Airlines passenger on a flight from Albuquerque to Chicago tried to open an emergency door 20 minutes into their flight last year, the plane returned to Albuquerque where law enforcement was waiting. If the plane isn't far from its final destination, it will usually try to land there. That's what happened on another American Airlines flight in 2024 when a passenger flying from Milwaukee to Dallas attempted to open an emergency door mid-flight. A flight attendant was injured in the process, and the man was charged with a federal crime. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. At the very least, trying to open an emergency door mid-flight is a great way to get yourself on the dreaded no-fly list. While most passengers who try to open emergency doors fail, at least one appears to have succeeded. In 2023, a passenger on an Asiana flight about to land in Daegu, South Korea allegedly opened the emergency door he was sitting next to. The plane was more than 700 feet off the ground at the time. While the plane was able to safely land, and no one was seriously injured, 12 people went to the hospital and were treated for hyperventilation. 'The wind was stinging my legs and hitting my face so hard I couldn't even breathe properly,' the passenger sitting next to him recalled in an interview with CNN. Asiana immediately launched an investigation to see how the door was able to be opened. It also issued a statement saying it would stop selling certain exit row seats on its Airbus A321-200 aircraft. But this doesn't exactly mean that sitting next to an emergency door is dangerous. On the contrary, some experts say the exit row boasts the safest seats on the plane. 'If there was a seat that was safer, being close to an emergency exit increases the chance of getting out quicker,' Cary Grant, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's College of Aviation, previously told T+L.

Munitions depot explosion at Kadena Air Base leaves four injured
Munitions depot explosion at Kadena Air Base leaves four injured

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Munitions depot explosion at Kadena Air Base leaves four injured

Four members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force were injured after a munition exploded on Kadena Air Base on Monday. The Air Force's 18th Wing, based out of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, confirmed that an explosion occurred at a munitions storage site on the northern side of the base. No U.S. personnel were injured and local authorities said that there is no risk of further explosions, according to the U.S. Air Force and Kyodo News. Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force were working in the munitions storage area, managed by the Okinawa Prefectural Government, when one item exploded, leaving four Japanese troops injured. According to Japanese media, the explosion happened while JSDF members were preparing to safely dispose of an unexploded ordnance. Per reports, the depot is a temporary storage spot, mainly used for leftover unexploded munitions from World War II. Okinawa was heavily bombed during World War II, as part of the U.S. military's campaign to capture the island in 1945. 80 years later and Japanese and American authorities continue to locate and dispose of unexploded ordnance, with more than 2,000 tons of munitions taken out. This is a developing story. A Marine Corps reply-all email apocalypse has an incredible real-life ending Army shuts down its sole active-duty information operations command Army plans to close more than 20 base museums in major reduction Former Green Beret nominated to top Pentagon position to oversee special ops The Navy's new recruiting commercial puts the 'dirt wars' in the past

Local World War II veteran celebrates 104th birthday
Local World War II veteran celebrates 104th birthday

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Local World War II veteran celebrates 104th birthday

A local World War II veteran just turned 104. Friends and family of Frank Pugliano Sr. gathered at Northmoreland Park in Westmoreland County to celebrate his birthday on Saturday. Pugliano served as a U.S. Army Technicican Sergeant in Company C with the 387th Port Batallion. He was honorably discharged in 1945. He spent time in the Philippines and New Guinea. His longevity has drawn national and local attention over the years. Last year, the New York Post asked him what his secret was. He told them it's soda and dark chocolate. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store