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US military helicopter collides with passenger jet in Washington DC (VIDEO) US military helicopter collides with passenger jet in Washington DC (VIDEO)
(32 minutes later)
A Bombardier CRJ700 with “roughly 60 passengers” on board has crashed into the river after a midair collision with a US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk A Bombardier CRJ700 with 64 people on board has crashed into the river after a midair collision with a US Army Black Hawk
A regional passenger jet operated by the American Airlines’ subsidiary has collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights and a large-scale emergency response. A regional passenger jet operated by the American Airlines’ subsidiary has collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights and a large-scale emergency response. 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter around 9pm local time.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter around 9pm local time.
There were “roughly 60 passengers” aboard the plane, according to US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. The Bombardier CRJ700 can seat up to 78 passengers, with a standard crew of two pilots and two flight attendants. The Sikorsky H-60 typically carries a crew of three to four, with the capacity to transport up to 11 additional personnel, depending on its configuration. The exact number of individuals on board each aircraft and the number of casualties remain unclear. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, according to American Airlines. The US Army Black Hawk helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, a US defense official told CNN. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue the search for possible survivors.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the crash, stating that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident. “We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA,” newly-appointed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA Airport right here in Washington, DC,” Leavitt told Fox News. She added that the Trump administration’s “thoughts and prayers” were with those involved and urged the public to follow law enforcement guidance.“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA Airport right here in Washington, DC,” Leavitt told Fox News. She added that the Trump administration’s “thoughts and prayers” were with those involved and urged the public to follow law enforcement guidance.
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” Marshall wrote on X. “There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas said in his statement on X. “My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.”
For more information, visit https://t.co/ECDOdj1kdr. pic.twitter.com/Z5vWq4vUJ2For more information, visit https://t.co/ECDOdj1kdr. pic.twitter.com/Z5vWq4vUJ2
DC Fire and EMS previously said on X that a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River near the airport, with fireboats and other emergency personnel responding to the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) also reported an “apparent air crash” and confirmed that multiple agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation in the river. DC Fire and EMS previously said that fireboats and other emergency personnel responding to the scene after a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) also said that multiple agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation in the river.
“A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash,” MPD stated on X. The department also clarified that its own helicopter was not involved in the incident but was assisting in the response efforts. “A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash,” MPD stated on X. The department also clarified that despite initial reports its own helicopter was not involved in the incident, but was assisting in the response efforts.
The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties without hindrance.Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties without hindrance.
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