Washington: Passenger jet, helicopter collide near airport, rescue ops on
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Wreckage of PSA Airlines Flight 5342, CRJ-700, in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
New Delhi: A tragic mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night.
According to media reports, the passenger jet was carrying 60 passengers and crew when the incident took place. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash happened at 9 p.m. local time while the aircraft was on approach to Runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
In an official statement, the FAA reported, "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation."
Following the crash, emergency response teams, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, launched search and rescue operations in the Potomac River. Rescue boats were immediately deployed to the crash site to locate and assist potential survivors.
As a precautionary measure, all flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were temporarily suspended to facilitate emergency response efforts. The airport confirmed the halt, posting on X, "All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update."
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran expressed concern after learning that the flight had originated from Wichita, Kansas. Posting on X, he wrote, "Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved."
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran at Washington Reagan National airport talking with officials.| Photo: X/@JerryMoran
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to carry out their operations effectively. The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
Multiple agencies are actively responding to the situation, working together to manage the crisis and provide assistance. Rescue operations are ongoing, and further details are awaited.
With IANS inputs