By Swastika Chowdhury
A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Ronald Reagan National Airport on January 30, involving an American Airlines regional jet and U.S Army Black Hawk helicopter. The incident took place as the commercial plane, identified as PSA Airlines flight 5342, was on approach to Runway 33, en-route from Wichita, Kansas.
The collision resulted in both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River, prompting an immediate and massive rescue operation. Emergency services, including DC Fire and EMS, and multiple law enforcement agencies, deployed fire boats and helicopters for search and rescue efforts. Early reports confirmed mass casualties, though the exact numbers remain undisclosed. The recent reports confirmed the recovery teams had pulled more than two dozen bodies from the icy water
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the accident’s cause. The airport halted all takeoffs and landings, with officials stating the terminal would remain closed until further notice. On recent and newer findings reviewed by the New York Times, according to the internal preliminary Federal Aviation Administration staffing at the air control tower of the Ronald Reagan National Airport was not “normal for the day and the volume of traffic.”
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident and he has thus expressed his condolences and gratitude towards the first responders involved. The event marks a somber moment for Washington D.C, stirring memories of past aviation tragedies in the area.