Plane and helicopter collide near US capital, rescue efforts underway

An American Airlines jet crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision with a helicopter near Washington, DC, on Wednesday night. Rescue operations are underway, but officials have not reported any casualties yet, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Plane and helicopter collide near US capital, rescue efforts underway
Photo credit: Unn.ua

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the aircraft, identified as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet. The collision occurred around 9:00 p.m. as the plane was approaching the runway at Reagan Washington National Airport. The U.S. Army confirmed that one of its Black Hawk (H-60) helicopters was involved in the crash.

Authorities stated that the first calls about the crash were received at 8:53 p.m. local time. Emergency personnel have been deployed to the scene, with search and rescue operations underway in the Potomac River. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), in coordination with DC Fire and multiple agencies, said they were working to locate potential survivors. “There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time,” DC Police said in a joint statement with DC Fire and MPD.

American Airlines reports that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board Flight 5342 at the time of the crash. The helicopter that collided with a passenger aircraft had 3 people on board, according to a US defense official.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall also addressed the incident, additionally confirming that the passenger plane carried approximately 60 people. “A plane, traveling to the Nation’s capital from Wichita, KS carrying roughly 60 passengers collided with a Military helicopter,”Marshall wrote in a post on X.

In response to the incident, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport have been suspended. However, the airport’s terminal remains open, officials said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump has been informed on the situation.“There are many agencies that are working on this response right now, both federal and local law enforcement are working together on the ground, to try to save as many lives as possible. And the President will continue to monitor this situation,” Leavitt said.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the crash. Authorities have not provided further details about the status of passengers and crew on board Flight 5342 or personnel aboard the helicopter.

Earlier Kazinform reported that the number of injured victims from Busan airplane fire rose to 7, all with minor injuries.This is a developing story.

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