Latest news with #WashingtonFireandEMS
The Hill
30-01-2025
- General
- The Hill
Officials say 'no survivors' expected after crash at Reagan Washington National Airport
Officials said there were no survivors after a regional jet and military helicopter collided Wednesday evening over the Potomac River. Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said Thursday morning at a press conference that operations were beginning to switch from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. About 60 people were believed to be on the American Airlines flight that collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk on its final approach to Reagan Washington National Airport in Alexandria, Va., just before 9 p.m. EST. 'At this point, we don't believe there are any survivors from this accident, and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,' Donnelly said. American Airlines said the flight was en route from Wichita, Kan. About 300 emergency responders conducted a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials say ‘no survivors' expected after crash at Reagan Washington National Airport
Officials said there were no survivors after a regional jet and military helicopter collided Wednesday evening over the Potomac River. Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said Thursday morning at a press conference that operations were beginning to switch from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. About 60 people were believed to be on the American Airlines flight that collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk on its final approach to Reagan Washington National Airport in Alexandria, Va., just before 9 p.m. EST. 'At this point, we don't believe there are any survivors from this accident, and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,' Donnelly said. American Airlines said the flight was en route from Wichita, Kan. About 300 emergency responders conducted a multi-agency search-and-rescue operation. President Trump, in a statement issued late Wednesday, argued the crash 'should have been prevented.' He noted it was a clear night in Washington and questioned why the control tower didn't tell the helicopter there was a plane approaching. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed those remarks. During the press conference, he was asked about Trump's comments and said 'absolutely' the crash could have been prevented. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom shared his condolences and said the company's focus is on supporting those who were involved or related to the crash, including the staff at the company. 'This is devastating,' he said. 'We are all hurting incredibly.' Updated at 8:39 a.m. EST Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mapped: How American Airlines plane collided with Black Hawk army helicopter near Washington DC airport
An American Airlines 5342 operating as a PSA Airlines jet collided with a US Army Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter as both flew close to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC at around 9 p.m. local time Wednesday. All 67 people on board both aircraft are feared dead, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said Wednesday night. So far, 28 bodies have been recovered from the river of the 67 people believed to be dead, Chief John Donnelly of Washington's fire and emergency service said in a Thursday morning press conference. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at the press conference that the incident was 'preventable' when asked by a reporter. "Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely,' Duffy said, adding that passengers should be "assured" that flying is safe. All flights in and out of Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport are grounded until at least 11 a.m. Thursday. None of the helicopter's three crew were senior Army officials, authorities said. The Wichita flight to Reagan National Airport has only been running for a year and politicians fought hard to get it going. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran announced the American Airlines direct flight from Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, to Washington Reagan National Airport, DC, would make travel 'faster and more affordable' for Kansas residents in July 2023. Video footage from the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with separate aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball. 'Mutual aid from neighboring agencies were called to assist, and takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted for the remainder of the evening. We will continue to post information as it becomes available. 'We are not expecting flights to resume until at least 11 a.m. today, January 30. Please check back for updates, and contact your airline directly for schedule updates.' According to provisional data from FlightAware, American Eagle Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas at around 17:22 CST and was in the air for two hours and 35 minutes, with an estimated arrival time in Washington DC for 20:57 EST. But the flight tracking data showed the flight's status result as 'unknown' and according to the visuals, the plane stopped midair on the east side of the Potomac River, roughly adjacent to Blue Pains in DC. What we now know is that the plane collided with a US military Blackhawk Helicopter that was traveling southbound with three people onboard. A fleet of divers combed the Potomac River in search of survivors throughout the night and continued as the sun came up on Thursday. Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly revealed the challenges they faced. 'The challenges are access. The water that we're operating in is about 8 feet deep,' Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said. 'There is wind, there is pieces of ice out there. So it's just dangerous and hard to work in.' He continued: 'And because there's not a lot of lights, you're out there searching every square inch of space to see if you can find anybody. 'Divers are doing the same thing in the water. The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in.' Ronald Reagan National Airport is located less than four miles from the White House. Flight 5343 was coming into land on Runway 33 when disaster struck. Flying into D.C. over the Potomac River, passengers can often get a glimpse of the famed Washington monuments from their window. President Donald Trump has been fully briefed on the tragedy and on Wednesday night called it 'a terrible night.' He also speculated about what caused the crash on Truth Social. '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. 'This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!' Washington's Mayor Muriel Bowser offered her thoughts and prayers for the victims in a statement on X: 'Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy.' On Wednesday American Airlines released a statement that read: 'If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, 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.' After the incident, Ronald Reagan Airport had a notice that read: 'Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, emergency personnel at Reagan National Airport initiated their response to a crash between a passenger aircraft, identified by the FAA as American Eagle flight 5342, and a Sikorsky helicopter.'
The Hill
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump on victims of midair collision near Reagan National: ‘May God Bless their souls'
President Trump said Thursday morning he had been 'fully briefed' on the deadly midair collision between a regional jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River. 'I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders,' he continued. 'I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.' About 60 people were believed to be on the American Airlines flight that collided with a UH-60 Blackhawk on its final approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday night. Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said Thursday morning at a press conference that operations were beginning to switch from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. 'At this point, we don't believe there are any survivors from this accident, and we have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter,' Donnelly said. American Airlines said the flight was en route from Wichita, Kan. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an investigation team with the Pentagon has been deployed to determine 'what happened and why.'
The Independent
30-01-2025
- General
- The Independent
Mapped: How American Airlines plane collided with Black Hawk army helicopter near Washington DC airport
An American Airlines 5342 operating as a PSA Airlines jet collided with a US Army Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter as both flew close to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC at around 9 p.m. local time Wednesday. All 67 people on board both aircraft are feared dead, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said Wednesday night. None of the helicopter's three crew were senior Army officials, authorities said. Close to 20 bodies have been recovered from the water, according to multiple networks. All flights in and out of Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport have been grounded until at least 11 a.m. Thursday. The Wichita flight to Reagan National Airport has only been running for a year and politicians fought hard to get it going. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran announced the American Airlines direct flight from Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, to Washington Reagan National Airport, DC, would make travel 'faster and more affordable' for Kansas residents in July 2023. Video footage from the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with separate aircraft appearing to conjoin in a fireball. 'Mutual aid from neighboring agencies were called to assist, and takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted for the remainder of the evening. We will continue to post information as it becomes available. 'We are not expecting flights to resume until at least 11 a.m. today, January 30. Please check back for updates, and contact your airline directly for schedule updates.' According to provisional data from FlightAware, American Airlines Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas at around 17:22 CST and was in the air for two hours and 35 minutes, with an estimated arrival time in Washington DC for 20:57 EST. But the flight tracking data showed the flight's status result as 'unknown' and according to the visuals, the plane stopped midair on the east side of the Potomac River, roughly adjacent to Blue Pains in DC. What we now know is that the plane collided with a US military Blackhawk Helicopter that was traveling southbound with three people onboard. Floating ice, chilly waters, and darkness: Challenges of the rescue operation As a fleet of divers comb the Potomac River in search of survivors, Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly revealed the challenges that they face. 'The challenges are access. The water that we're operating in is about 8 feet deep,' Washington Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said. 'There is wind, there is pieces of ice out there. So it's just dangerous and hard to work in.' He continued: 'And because there's not a lot of lights, you're out there searching every square inch of space to see if you can find anybody. 'Divers are doing the same thing in the water. The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for them to dive in.' Washington's Mayor Muriel Bowser offered her thoughts and prayers for the victims in a statement on X: 'Tonight, as our first responders continue their efforts, we are sending our love and prayers to the families, loved ones, and communities who are experiencing loss during this terrible tragedy.' She shared that the next briefing would be held 7:30 a.m. CST at DCA live on X. President Donald Trump made an announcement on the incident: "I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. 'May God Bless their souls.' American Airlines released a statement that read: 'If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, 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.' Ronald Reagan Airport has a notice that reads: 'Around 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, emergency personnel at Reagan National Airport initiated their response to a crash between a passenger aircraft, identified by the FAA as American Eagle flight 5342, and a Sikorsky helicopter. This is a developing story.
