American Airlines passenger jet collides with military helicopter near Washington, all aboard killed

On Wednesday evening, an American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members collided mid-air with a military helicopter while landing at Reagan National Airport near Washington, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation on the nearby Potomac River.

The military helicopter was a UH-60 Black Hawk stationed at Fort Belvoir, reportedly carrying three soldiers on a training flight.

Washington D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly said at a Thursday morning press conference: "We currently believe there are no survivors." Rescuers have recovered 28 bodies so far.

About 300 rescuers are on scene, with inflatable rescue boats launched from the George Washington Parkway north of the airport, and emergency crews setting up light towers on the shore to illuminate the area near the collision site.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been fully briefed on the terrible accident and added, referring to the passengers, "May God bless their souls."

Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches, and families, returning from a development camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. Russia confirmed that former world champion pairs figure skaters were on the plane. Global Affairs Canada said there were no Canadians on the crashed aircraft.

American Airlines Flight 5342, at an altitude of about 120 meters and a speed of about 225 km/h when at Reagan National Airport, rapidly lost altitude over the Potomac River according to its transponder data. The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet, built in 2004, can carry up to 70 passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it would launch an investigation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The FAA said Reagan Airport reopened at 11 a.m.

Source: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/zh-hans/新闻/2136404/美国航空公司客机-与直升机相撞-全体遇难