Washington D.C. – In a shocking incident on Wednesday night, an American Airlines regional passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near Reagan Washington National Airport, plunging into the Potomac River.
The American Airlines flight was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when the collision occurred. The airline has confirmed the total of 64 individuals on board. Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter was on a nighttime training exercise with three soldiers aboard.
Eyewitnesses reported a terrifying scene. “I heard a loud explosion and saw a fireball in the sky,” said local resident Jonathan Miller, who was walking along the riverbank at the time. “It was like nothing I've ever seen before.”
Emergency services swiftly initiated a major search and rescue operation. Divers, boats, and helicopters are scouring the crash site, battling against the river's strong currents and the darkness of night. The Coast Guard, along with local fire and police departments, are coordinating efforts to locate survivors.
“Our teams are working tirelessly to find and assist any survivors,” stated Captain Maria Sanchez of the D.C. Fire and EMS Department. “We are utilizing all available resources in this critical operation.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision. Airspace around Washington D.C. is among the most regulated in the country, and questions are mounting about how such an accident could occur.
American Airlines has set up an emergency hotline for family members seeking information about loved ones who may have been on the flight. The identities of those onboard have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the nation, with many expressing concern over air safety protocols. “It's heartbreaking,” commented aviation analyst David Chen. “We need to understand what happened to prevent future incidents.”
As the search continues, the community holds its breath for any news of survivors. Authorities are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available.
KhabarAsia.com will continue to monitor the situation and provide live updates.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
