ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON – A regional passenger plane collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights from the airport and a large-scale emergency response.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, flying in from Kansas, was approaching Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter around 9pm local time.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the civilian aircraft, according to American Airlines. The US Army helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, a US defense official told CNN. The number of fatalities remains unclear, as emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue the search for possible survivors.
“We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA,” newly-appointed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident.
“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA Airport right here in Washington, DC,” Leavitt told Fox News. She added that the Trump administration’s “thoughts and prayers” were with those involved and urged the public to follow law enforcement guidance.
“There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas said in a statement on X.
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.”
DC Fire and EMS previously said that fireboats and other emergency personnel were responding after a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River.
“A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash,” the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) stated on X. The department clarified that contrary to initial reports, its own helicopter was not involved in the incident, but was assisting in the response efforts.
The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties. (RT)
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