A devastating midair collision occurred on Wednesday night between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter, resulting in a crash into the Potomac River. The incident involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, both attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The commercial flight, American Eagle Flight No. 5342, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, DC, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter, on a training flight, had three soldiers aboard. The collision happened around 9 pm local time as both aircraft approached Runway 33.
Emergency teams were deployed immediately, and all flights were grounded. By 11:30 pm, 18 bodies had been recovered, with no survivors found. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash, while the Army and Department of Defence have launched their own investigations.
President Trump and other officials expressed condolences and frustration over the incident. The White House confirmed that the President had been briefed, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed full support to the investigation. The DC Police Department and multiple agencies are coordinating search-and-rescue operations.
Authorities continue to search for survivors and determine the cause of the collision. The tragic event has left many mourning the loss of at least 63 lives.
American Airlines is a big company that flies airplanes to take people from one place to another, like a giant flying bus.
A military helicopter is a special type of flying machine used by the army to do important jobs like rescue missions or moving soldiers.
The Potomac River is a big river in the United States, near Washington, D.C., which is the capital city of the country.
PSA Airlines is a smaller airline that is part of American Airlines, and the Bombardier CRJ700 is a type of airplane they use, which can carry about 70 people.
The Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk is a type of helicopter used by the military for many tasks, like transporting soldiers or helping in emergencies.
This is an airport near Washington, D.C., where many planes land and take off, named after a former President of the United States.
The FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, is a group in the U.S. that makes rules to keep flying safe and checks if airplanes and airports follow these rules.
The NTSB, or National Transportation Safety Board, is a group that investigates accidents involving planes, trains, and other vehicles to find out what happened and how to prevent it in the future.
Donald Trump was the President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, and he was in charge of the country during that time.
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