Aircraft traffic has been suspended at Ronald Reagan National Airport after a military helicopter and jet collided in midair.
American Airlines Flight 5342, inbound from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Blackhawk helicopter. Over 100 ambulances have rushed to the scene. Early reports say as many as 60 souls were onboard the jetliner, which then fell into the Potomac River. It appeared that the Blackhawk flew right into the jet.
The airport that serves the nation’s capital is the most tightly controlled airspace on the planet.
“Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update,” the airport said on X.
The midair collision was captured by a camera at the Kennedy Center:
Update: The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700, manufactured by Bombardier of Canada. American Airlines says there were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard.
The airlines wrote: “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and asked that God bless the souls of the victims. He thanked the first responders and said he would provide updates as details arise.
CNN blamed the Trump Administration.
On air newscaster Abby Phillip said, “Look, it’s January 29th. We are just nine days out from a presidential transition and administrative transition. The FAA administrator resigned at the end of the Biden administration, so there is no permanent confirmed FAA administrator right now.”
This story will be updated as details emerge as to who was on the aircraft and why the air traffic controllers did not control the air space.
I am praying it wasn’t a DEI hire and of course the communist news network would blame Trump, as if one terrible leader leaving the FAA would be responsible for a line controller, electronics failure, or some other problem they couldn’t control.
The controller absolutely utilized Pilot-Provided visual separation; the traffic call was however sloppy and incomplete.
“This story will be updated as details emerge as to who was on the aircraft and why the air traffic controllers did not control the air space”
Refrain from statements on subjects you have no clue about.
How the hell is it Trump’s fault? Good Lord, these morons are unbelievable! What is up with all these plane crashes?