A tragic mid-air collision in Washington D.C. involved a passenger plane with 64 people and a military helicopter, resulting in at least 18 recovered bodies. The crash occurred near the airport, with recovery efforts hampered by harsh conditions. Notably, renowned figure skaters were among the passengers. Authorities indicated no terrorism links, and investigations are ongoing. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is closed, while President Trump and Homeland Security pledge support for rescue operations.
Tragic Plane Collision in Washington D.C.
A devastating incident occurred in Washington D.C. when a passenger plane, carrying 64 individuals, collided mid-air with a US military helicopter. The exact number of casualties remains uncertain, but reports indicate that 18 bodies have been recovered from the scene.
The accident took place near the airport, where both the aircraft and the helicopter crashed into the Potomac River. According to various media reports, multiple bodies have been retrieved from the water, though official casualty figures have yet to be released. Washington’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, stated, “We can only provide information on the number of people in the planes.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Fire Chief John Donnely informed the public that authorities are still assessing the situation and do not know if there are any survivors. As time passes and weather conditions worsen, hopes of finding individuals alive are rapidly diminishing. Relatives of those on board are currently at the airport receiving support, as efforts continue.
Over 300 emergency responders are on-site, but they face extremely challenging conditions. Strong winds, cold temperatures, and murky waters, partially covered in ice, are complicating the search operations. Torben Börgers from ARD Washington indicated that a “large-scale rescue operation may take several days.” The aircraft involved was a Bombardier CRJ700 from American Airlines, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, as confirmed by the FAA.
While official details regarding the passengers’ identities have not been disclosed, reports suggest that several figure skaters, their coaches, and family members were onboard, returning from a training camp. Among them were renowned pair skating champions, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
The helicopter, identified as a Sikorsky H-60 Blackhawk variant, was confirmed to have three soldiers on board. Notably, no VIPs were involved, as clarified by a US government representative. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that the helicopter was engaged in a training flight at the time of the incident.
Authorities, including the FBI, have found no evidence suggesting that the crash was related to terrorism. This incident is regarded as one of the worst plane crashes in the US in nearly 16 years, with investigations already underway by both the Department of Defense and US military. A webcam from the Kennedy Center captured an explosion in the air at 9:47 PM local time, followed by visual evidence of a burning aircraft descending rapidly.
In the aftermath of the crash, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has been closed, halting all departures and landings with air traffic expected to resume later in the morning. US President Donald Trump is set to provide updates on the situation, expressing gratitude to rescue personnel for their efforts and voicing concerns over the circumstances leading to the tragedy. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has pledged extensive support for rescue operations, stating that all available resources of the US Coast Guard are being deployed to assist in this heartbreaking event.