If it is investigated by the American authorities. There is still no official information about victims
Julia Chaib
WASHINGTON, USA (Folhapress)-An American Airlines commercial jet collided on Wednesday night with a military helicopter over the Potomac River, in a region near Ronald Reagan airport, 6 km from the Washington DC center.
According to the airline, there were 60 passengers and four crew in the aircraft. The helicopter is a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk model used by the US Armed Forces. The army reported that there were three soldiers on board.
According to the Federal Agency of the United States, the accident occurred around 9 pm from the US (11 pm GMT). The American Airlines plane flew from Wichitaw, Kansas, and was about to land at Ronald Reagan airport.
The case is investigated by the US authorities. There is no official information about victims yet.
Washington Fire Department chief John Donelly said at a press conference that about 300 people worked at the rescue of victims at dawn on Thursday (30). Several boats and helicopters have been displaced to assist in the search.
Donelly and other authorities reported that the conditions of the operation were complicated due to low temperatures in water, wind and darkness.
“The focus now on water is to rescue people,” said Washington mayor Muriel Bowser at dawn.
Ronald Reagan airport will be closed at least until 11am (13h of Brasilia) this Thursday.
About two hours after the accident, US President Donald Trump was informed about the accident and said he was following the situation.
“I was fully informed about the terrible accident that just occurred at Reagan National Airport. May God bless your souls. Thank you for the incredible work done by our rescuers. I am following the situation and will provide more details as they arise, ”said Trump in a statement released by the White House.
Then, Trump again commented on the case in a message on his social truth social network and questioned the reason for the accident.
“The plane was on a perfect and routine approach line for the airport. The helicopter was going straight toward the plane for a long time. It’s a clear night, the plane lights were shining intensely, why the helicopter didn’t go up or down, or turned? ”Asked Trump.
“Why didn’t the control tower say to the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane? This is a bad situation that seems to have been avoided. It’s not good !!! (sic), ”wrote the president.
The vice president, Jd Vance, also spoke. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the airport collision near Reagan airport tonight. We are following the situation, but for now, let’s hope for the best. ”
The US Senator, Ted Cruz, said there were fatalities in the collision.
In an X statement, Cruz said: “Although we have not yet known how many on board have been lost, we know there are fatalities.”
Cruz has not provided details or the source of his information.
“We are aware of the reports that flight 5342, operated by PSA, with Wichita service, Kansas, for Washington Reagan National Airport was involved in an incident. We will provide information as they are available, ”said American Airlines at X.
