On Wednesday, January 29, an air traffic controller attempted to speak with the pilot of an Army Black Hawk helicopter by radio call thirty seconds before the chopper and an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.
On January 29, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter and a Bombardier CRJ700 regional plane operated by PSA Airlines crashed into one other. However, according to audio acquired by the Associated Press, thirty seconds before the collision, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter whether it could see the jet that was coming.
Twenty-five seconds later, the controller made another radio contact to PAT, stating, “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” According to the Associated Press, there was no reaction from the Army Black Hawk helicopter on any flight monitoring websites, and shortly after that, the two aircraft collided with one another.
At the same time, the plane’s radio transponder ceased sending signals when it was about 2,400 feet short of the runway and over the middle of the Potomac River. At around 9 p.m. local time, the airplane was getting close to Runway 33.
According to a statement from American Airlines, there were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the plane. As reported by CNN, there were three troops on board the US Army Black Hawk chopper.
“We can confirm that the helicopter involved in the incident that occurred tonight was an Army UH-60 helicopter that was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.” A U.S. Army spokesperson said in a statement to the outlet, “We are collaborating with local officials and will provide further information as soon as it is available.”
According to a police officer who spoke with CBS News, at least 18 corpses were recovered from the water. The Metropolitan Police Department has not yet made any public statements on the number of victims.
The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation, which will be conducted by both the NTSB and the FAA.
According to Reagan National Airport, “all takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA.”
Furthermore, American Airlines has set up a hotline for the family members of passengers to call. The announcement added, “If you think that you have family or friends on Flight 5342, please call American Airlines at 800-679-8215. The call is free.” “People who are phoning from outside the United States should go to news.aa.com to get more phone numbers. Family members who live in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may phone 800-679-8215 directly.
President Donald Trump made the following statement: “I have been fully informed on the horrific tragedy which just took occurred at Reagan National Airport. May God bless their spirits. I appreciate the amazing job that our first responders are doing. I am keeping an eye on the issue and will provide further information when it becomes available.
J.D. Vance, the Vice President, requested prayers on X. “Please pray for everyone who was involved in the mid-air collision that occurred near Reagan airport this evening.” He commented, “We are keeping an eye on the situation, but for the time being, let’s remain optimistic.”