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Washington plane crash: All 67 passengers feared dead in deadly plane and helicopter collision

ONE OF DEADLIEST CRASHES IN AMERICAN HISTORY: Rescue operation transitions into recovery operation as no survivors expected

Reported by:  PTC News Desk  Edited by:  Jasleen Kaur -- January 30th 2025 07:26 PM
Washington plane crash: All 67 passengers feared dead in deadly plane and helicopter collision

Washington plane crash: All 67 passengers feared dead in deadly plane and helicopter collision

Washington plane crash: A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, DC, has resulted in the feared deaths of all 67 persons on board both aircraft. As of the latest reports, the authorities have recovered at least 28 bodies from the Potomac River, where the wreckage from the crash was found.

The incident, one of the deadliest in recent American history, occurred when the commercial jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport. It collided with the Army helicopter during its landing approach. The helicopter, which was involved in a military training exercise, had three personnel on board.


John Donnelly, Washington’s fire chief, confirmed in a press briefing that the rescue operation has now transitioned into a recovery operation. "At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident," he said. The wreckage of the passenger plane was located upside down in shallow water, broken into three sections, while the helicopter’s wreckage was also found nearby.

The search operation continues as the authorities look for additional victims and debris. However, the cause of the collision remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are at the scene, working diligently to piece together the events that led to the catastrophe.

According to the FAA, the collision occurred just after 9 pm IST, while the American Airlines flight was nearing the airport runway, approximately three miles from both the White House and the US Capitol. The flight had been en route from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying a group of figure skaters, their coaches, and family members. They had been returning from a development camp following the US Figure Skating Championships.

Images from the scene showed rescue boats circling the partially submerged wing of the plane, alongside twisted wreckage of the fuselage, emphasising the severity of the collision. The search and recovery efforts were complicated by the conditions of the Potomac River, which is known for swift currents and fluctuating water levels.

US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, stating that he had been fully briefed on the situation. "May God bless their souls," he remarked, referring to those who lost their lives in the crash.

- With inputs from agencies

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