Plane Carrying 64 Collides With Helicopter, Crashes In Washington
A devastating midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter occurred in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, resulting in the plane crashing into the Potomac River. The aircraft, carrying 64 people, collided with the helicopter during a night training exercise. Emergency crews immediately launched a massive search and rescue operation under harsh conditions, with divers entering the icy waters of the Potomac to locate survivors.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed the city’s commitment to recovering those involved, stating, “We’re going to be out there as long as it takes… we are going to recover our fellow citizens.” Despite the challenging conditions, including the freezing temperatures and the darkness of night, about 300 emergency responders were working to locate survivors, though officials were not optimistic about finding anyone alive.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane descending with a trail of sparks, with one observer describing the sight as resembling “a Roman candle” before the aircraft crashed. This horrific scene has left the community reeling.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation and expressed condolences for the victims. However, he also took to social media to criticize air traffic control, questioning why the helicopter did not take evasive action or receive better direction from the control tower. Trump remarked, “This is a CLEAR NIGHT… why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn… This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the grounding of all planes at Reagan National Airport, and operations were expected to resume the following morning. American Airlines’ CEO expressed sorrow over the tragedy, and US Senator Roger Marshall called the incident “nothing short of a nightmare.”
The search for survivors continues as authorities work to recover the wreckage and determine the cause of the collision.
