Latest news with #ContinentalFlight3407
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Families of Flight 3407 oppose DOT nomination
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Families of Continental Flight 3407 announced that they 'strongly oppose' the nomination of Steven Bradbury for Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Bradley was previously general counsel for the Department of Transportation in President Donald Trump's first administration. The family group said that Bradbury's 'past policy decisions demonstrate a failure to prioritize the safety of the flying public.' 'Under Bradbury's leadership at the DOT, the department failed to support a thorough and transparent investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,' the group said in a statement. 'Bradbury was instrumental in withholding critical investigative materials from Congress, obstructing efforts to uncover the full extent of Boeing's missteps. … Furthermore, during his tenure, Bradbury supported regulatory rollbacks that would weaken pilot training requirements and safety oversight measures — policies that contradict the hard-won reforms championed by the Families of Flight 3407.' Bradbury was nominated for the position on Jan. 22. He was approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on a 15-13 vote on Feb. 27 and will soon face a full Senate vote. 'As the former General Counsel of DOT, Mr. Bradbury will bring a deep understanding of how the Department and our transportation systems operate,' Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said following the committee vote. 'He is intimately familiar with the Department's past attempts to address transportation challenges, such as aviation safety, and has learned from his experiences. This background will be invaluable in his new role, when he is confirmed.' *** Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


CBS News
30-01-2025
- General
- CBS News
Some BWI passengers anxious after deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C.
BALTIMORE -- Some passengers felt a little uneasy at BWI Thurgood Marshall on Thursday as they grappled with the news from officials that there were no survivors in the Flight 5342 crash in the Potomac. The 60-passenger American Airlines flight was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) when it crashed with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the river, prompting an overnight ground stop at Reagan. Air traffic controllers were heard over the radio instructing other incoming flights to divert to nearby airports, including BWI and Washington Dulles International Airport. BWI confirms that a few diverted flights landed there. Anne Arundel County resident Adam Pohl told WJZ he was a little nervous to fly. He was traveling to Boston with a local basketball team. "Well, I feel very safe, but no doubt, when you're taking off or you're landing, you're going think a little bit more about it than you would normally," Pohl said. The NTSB says the investigation is ongoing. An initial report is expected in 30 days. Reminiscent of 2009 Many flights were canceled until DCA re-opened on Thursday morning, including Mark Poloncarz's flight to Buffalo, N.Y. He eventually rebooked out of BWI. Poloncarz told WJZ the atmosphere in one of the country's busiest airports went from bustling to somber in a matter of moments. "It was different," Poloncarz said. "It got really quiet, and just people realizing that not too far from where we were meant a lot of people lost their lives." Poloncarz said he watched as emergency crews rushed to the runway and then riverbed, searching for victims and debris. As Erie County Executive in Western New York, Poloncarz knows how devastating a crash like this is. The last U.S. commercial airliner crash with fatalities happened nearly 16 years ago. In February of 2009, Continental Flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, crashed into a home in Clarence, N.Y., a suburb of Buffalo. The flight from Newark Liberty International was just minutes from landing at Buffalo Niagara International when it crashed into a home, killing 49 people onboard and one person inside the home. "When I realized that this was a plane crash that was going to result in a lot of lost lives, immediately, my mind went back to Flight 3407," said Poloncarz, who was the county's comptroller in 2009. "But what really struck me is, I'm sitting in this terminal looking out where the emergency vehicles are, realizing that there are probably dozens or more of people deceased in the Potomac and their family members don't even know about the incident." Flight 3407 led to sweeping reforms in the FAA, including new training requirements and scheduling for pilots. It also led to changes in the safety management systems and equipment inside the cockpit.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
When was the last plane crash in the U.S.?
NEW YORK (PIX11) – A midair crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. is likely to be the worst U.S. aviation disaster in almost a quarter century, officials said on Thursday. There are no expected survivors among the 60 passengers, four crew members, and three people in the military helicopter, according to Washington D.C. officials. More Local News Before this, the last major commercial crash of similar scale occurred on Feb. 12, 2009, when a Colgan Air flight went down near Buffalo, New York. As previously reported by PIX11, Continental Flight 3407 had taken off from Newark Liberty International Airport and was just five miles from the Buffalo airport when the plane experienced an aerodynamic stall. The plane crashed into a home in the suburb of Clarence, killing 49 people on board and a man who was inside the house. A memorial has since been established at the crash site. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plane, helicopter collide near DC's Reagan National Airport. What we know.
A military Black Hawk helicopter and a plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, sending rescue crews scrambling to find survivors. Fireboats were on the scene of the crash in the Potomac River, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department confirmed on X shortly after 9 p.m. First responders are meeting rescuers at the dock to take victims to safety. The Metropolitan Police Department said local police and other agencies were also responding to the scene. "All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA," the Reagan National Airport said in a statement. "Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open." President Donald Trump issued a statement on the crash Wednesday night, calling it a "terrible accident." "May God Bless their souls,' Trump said in the statement. "Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise." Here's what we know so far about the developing situation. American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. "Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts," the airline said. They asked people who believe they may have loved ones on board AA flight 5342 to call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly. Officials have yet to confirm how many people were onboard the the military helicopter. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said there was "no confirmed information on casualties at this time." The military aircraft was identified as a Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. It collided with a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet being operated by American Airlines that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft crashed in the Potomac River near the vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is leading the investigation, according to a statement from the FAA obtained by USA TODAY. The last crash at Reagan National Airport occurred on Jan. 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight took off from the airport, crashed into a bridge and fell into the Potomac River. The crash killed 78 people, according to the History Channel. The last major fatal U.S. airline crash occurred in 2009. Continental Flight 3407 from Newark, New Jersey to Buffalo, New York crashed into a house just before landing, killing all 49 passengers and crew members onboard. Reagan National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia. It is approximately 5 miles southwest of the U.S. Capitol. PSA Airlines is a subsidiary of American Airlines. The airline is based in headquartered in Dayton but announced Wednesday that it is moving to Charlotte, according to WCNC. The airline said that it handles 750 departures daily, according to the station. Attempts to access the PSA Airlines website Wednesday night were rerouted to the American Airlines website. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Joey Garrison USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Plane, helicopter collide over DC's Potomac River. What we know.


USA Today
30-01-2025
- General
- USA Today
Plane, helicopter collide near DC's Reagan National Airport. What we know.
A military helicopter and a plane collided near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. Fireboats were on the scene of the crash in the Potomac River, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department confirmed on X shortly after 9 p.m. First responders are meeting rescuers at the dock to take victims to safety. The Metropolitan Police Department said local police and other agencies were also responding to the scene. "All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA," the Reagan National Airport said in a statement. "Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open." President Donald Trump has been made aware of the situation, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Fox News Wednesday night. 'Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, D.C,' Leavitt said. 'The thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved.' Here's what we know so far about the developing situation. How many people were on board the flight? Officials have yet to confirm how many people were onboard the flight or the military helicopter it collided with. Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft can carry between 66 and 78 passengers and crew, according to skybrary and GlobalAir. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said there was "no confirmed information on casualties at this time." What type of plane and helicopter were involved? The military aircraft was identified as a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. It collided with a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet being operated by American Airlines that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Where did the plane crash? The aircraft crashed in the Potomac River near the vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Why did the plane crash? The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB is leading the investigation, according to a statement from the FAA obtained by USA TODAY. When was the last plane crash at Reagan airport? The last crash at Regan National Airport occurred on Jan. 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight took off from the airport, crashed into a bridge and fell into the Potomac River. The crash killed 78 people, according to the History Channel. When was the last major U.S. airline crash? The last major fatal U.S. airline crash occurred in 2009. Continental Flight 3407 from Newark, New Jersey to Buffalo, New York crashed into a house just before landing, killing all 49 passengers and crew members onboard. Where is Reagan National Airport? Regan National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia. It is approximately 5 miles southeast of the U.S. Capitol. What is PSA Airlines? PSA Airlines is a subsidiary of American Airlines. The airline is based in headquartered in Dayton but announced Wednesday that it is moving to Charlotte, according to WCNC. The airline said that it handles 750 departures daily, according to the station. Attempts to access the PSA Airlines website Wednesday night were rerouted to the American Airlines website. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY