64 people were on the American Airlines passenger jet which collided mid-air with a US army helicopter last night (29 January)
A video has captured the tragic moment an American Airlines passenger jet collided mid-air with a US army helicopter and landed in a river on Wednesday evening (29 January).
60 passengers and four crew members were on board American Airlines Flight 5432 when it crashed into a military helicopter, which was carrying three people, at around 9pm local time.
At least 19 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River, according to CBS, with 300 responders reportedly working on the rescue operation.
The Bombardier CRJ700 had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was landing into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington DC.
As seen in the clip above, the plane collided with a Sikorsky H-60, which had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia, with a US army official confirming to NBC News that the helicopter had been participating in a training flight.
The horrifying footage shows the mid air explosion take place as the aircraft and helicopter burst into flames, while air traffic control audio which has been released documenting their reactions before and after the crash.
All take-offs and landings from the airport have been halted as inflatable rubber rescue boats were launched into the river in search for survivors, while helicopters flew over the scene.
Washington Fire and EMS chief John A Donnelly said in a press conference (via CNN) that the conditions are ‘extremely rough for responders’.
“The water is dark. It is murky,” he said regarding the eight-feet deep river. He also said they ‘didn’t know if there were any survivors’, but added they were ‘working on it’.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the airport would be closed until at least 5am on Friday (31 January).
US President Donald Trump has thanked first responders for their ‘incredible work’, adding that he had been ‘fully briefed on the terrible accident’.
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“May God rest bless their souls.” he said.
However, on his social media site, Truth Social, he began questioning how such an incident was able to take place.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport,” he said. “The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time.
“It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
He added: “What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!”
Meanwhile, American Airlines said: “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
“There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
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