Plane Crashes Into Potomac After Hitting Army Helicopter
America, passenger plane collides with military helicopter and falls into the river
A passenger plane and a military helicopter collided near Washington Airport. According to media reports, the American Airlines flight had arrived in Washington from Wichita, Kansas.
Where the plane crashed near the runway over the Potomac River.
According to flight radar, the plane crashed at 8:48 pm local time. At that time, the plane was traveling at 166 kilometers per hour.
According to reports, the Bombardier CRJ700 plane has a seating capacity of 78 people. After colliding with the military helicopter, the passenger plane fell into the Potomac River. Divers have been deployed in the Potomac River after the accident.
US officials say that there were (64) passengers on board the plane that crashed. Rescue operations were launched as soon as the accident was reported, and so far eighteen bodies have been recovered from the river and the search for more is underway.
According to US military officials, three personnel were on board the military helicopter that hit the passenger plane. According to US media, the Black Hawk military helicopter that hit the passenger plane was on a training flight.
Statement by US President Trump
All flights have been suspended at Reagan National Airport following the accident, while President Donald Trump has also been informed of the air crash.
Trump said in his statement that he has been fully informed about the air crash, is monitoring the situation, will provide more details as soon as they emerge
Briefing of US officials after the plane crash in the US
The Washington DC fire chief says that the situation is not conducive for rescue activities, bad weather, severe cold are hindering the rescue operation, the rescue operation may continue for several hours.
He says that there is no information about the survivors of the accident. The Mayor of Washington DC says that the Potomac River has also been closed to boat service.
