DDN – According to a police spokesman on the scene, eighteen bodies were recovered from the Potomac River after an American Airlines regional passenger plane collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
According to a police spokesman, there were at least three debris fields in the sea and at least 18 bodies had been found as of 11:30 p.m. ET, reported CBS News. The official told the newspaper that no survivors had been found thus far.
During the initial press conference following the incident, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters that officials could not confirm the number of bodies retrieved, just the number of passengers on each plane. Officials have not yet released the number of casualties.
“We can’t provide any information about recovery efforts,” Bowser said to the crowd.
CNN reported earlier that, while there are verified fatalities, rescuers have yet to extract anyone from the water, and rescue attempts are ongoing, according to a law enforcement source.
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet carried 60 passengers and four crew members, according to an American Airlines statement. The Sikorsky H-60 chopper, an Army Black Hawk helicopter, carried three crew members, according to the US Army.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police Department, various agencies are presently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, and “there is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.” DC Fire and EMS stated that there are fireboats on the site.
According to NBC 4, the four victims were rescued from the river and sent to a nearby hospital.
According to an FAA statement, the incident involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional plane and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. CNN stated that the helicopter was an Army Black Hawk, citing two US defense officials. The New York Times also stated that it was an Army Black Hawk chopper, citing an Army official.
“PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines.” It left from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. “The NTSB will lead the investigation,” the statement read.
They collided as they approached Runway 33 around 9 p.m. local time. American Airlines confirmed the news in a statement posted on X. “We are aware of reports that American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA and flying from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), has been involved in an incident. The statement read, “We will provide information as it becomes available.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stated in a post to X that the state and municipal governments are “engaged in response.”
“@MDMEMA has upgraded its Emergency Operations Center to ‘Enhanced’ status in support. @MDSP has sent divers to the scene to help with rescue missions. @MarylandDNR police are also on the scene. “There are currently no operational restrictions on BWI,” Moore wrote.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly also commented on X, stating that she was aware of the approaching flight from Wichita, Kansas. “I am actively communicating with authorities. My thoughts go out to everyone concerned. I will provide additional information when it becomes available.”
President Donald Trump made a statement saying, “I have been fully briefed on the horrific accident that just occurred at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their spirits. Thank you for the excellent work done by our first responders. I’m keeping an eye on the situation and will update you as new information becomes available.”
Vice President J.D. Vance requested prayers on X. “Pray for everyone involved in the mid-air incident near Reagan Airport this evening. We are monitoring the situation, but for the time being, let us hope for the best,” he stated.
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