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American Airlines crash: Plane filled with Ice Skating champions as 19 dead – what we know
American Airlines Flight 5342 was struck by a Black Hawk military helicopter on a training exercise with both vehicles crashing into a nearby river, as 19 confirmed to have died and the rest feared dead
At least 19 people have been killed, but the majority are thought to be dead, after an American Airlines commercial flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter. The horrific scene took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just a short walk from the Pentagon in Washington DC.
It is thought that the Black Hawk helicopter was on training at the time when it crashed into American Airlines Flight 5342 being operated by PSA Airlines.
Three soldiers were on board the helicopter at the time – no deaths have been confirmed at this time, but it has been confirmed that no “senior military leaders” were on it at the time.
It has been confirmed that the flight from Wichita, Kansas, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, with Senator Jerry Moran stating: “I know that flight. I've flown it many times myself. It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we're going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody.
“So this is a very personal circumstance, as well as an official response.”
Most recently, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said in a Thursday morning news conference: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,"
United States President Donald Trump gave a short statement to express his shock at the news, while a video of the moment the crash happened – which was caught on CCTV – quickly went viral on social media.
Here's what we know so far:
What happened
American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US military Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport overnight.
The moment was captured on nearby CCTV and shows the plane almost sliced in two by the helicopter, which has was later confirmed as being on a training exercise.
Air traffic control scanner audio confirms that the plane and helicopter landed in the river nearby, stating: “The accident happened in the river – both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river."
The airport was immediately closed down and will remain closed until 5am on Friday, and a search and rescue operation is still underway.
Confirmed victims
It has been confirmed that 18 people died, although a search and rescue mission of the nearby river is still underway. There were 60 passengers and four crew onboard the flight, while three soldiers were inside the helicopter – no deaths have been reported by military officials. It has been confirmed by USA Figure Skating that several of those on board were figure skaters, parents and coaches.
A spokesman said: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available"
What has President Donald Trump said
President Trump released a short statement on social media, stating: I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
What did President Trump say unofficially
Despite the official statement, Trump took to his own Truth social media site to post his real thoughts.
He wrote: “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Daily Star Sunday
American Airlines Flight 5342 was struck by a Black Hawk military helicopter on a training exercise with both vehicles crashing into a nearby river, as 19 confirmed to have died and the rest feared dead
At least 19 people have been killed, but the majority are thought to be dead, after an American Airlines commercial flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter. The horrific scene took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just a short walk from the Pentagon in Washington DC.
It is thought that the Black Hawk helicopter was on training at the time when it crashed into American Airlines Flight 5342 being operated by PSA Airlines.
Three soldiers were on board the helicopter at the time – no deaths have been confirmed at this time, but it has been confirmed that no “senior military leaders” were on it at the time.
It has been confirmed that the flight from Wichita, Kansas, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, with Senator Jerry Moran stating: “I know that flight. I've flown it many times myself. It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we're going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody.
“So this is a very personal circumstance, as well as an official response.”
Most recently, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said in a Thursday morning news conference: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,"
United States President Donald Trump gave a short statement to express his shock at the news, while a video of the moment the crash happened – which was caught on CCTV – quickly went viral on social media.
Here's what we know so far:
What happened
American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US military Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport overnight.
The moment was captured on nearby CCTV and shows the plane almost sliced in two by the helicopter, which has was later confirmed as being on a training exercise.
Air traffic control scanner audio confirms that the plane and helicopter landed in the river nearby, stating: “The accident happened in the river – both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river."
The airport was immediately closed down and will remain closed until 5am on Friday, and a search and rescue operation is still underway.
Confirmed victims
It has been confirmed that 18 people died, although a search and rescue mission of the nearby river is still underway. There were 60 passengers and four crew onboard the flight, while three soldiers were inside the helicopter – no deaths have been reported by military officials. It has been confirmed by USA Figure Skating that several of those on board were figure skaters, parents and coaches.
A spokesman said: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available"
What has President Donald Trump said
President Trump released a short statement on social media, stating: I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
What did President Trump say unofficially
Despite the official statement, Trump took to his own Truth social media site to post his real thoughts.
He wrote: “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Daily Star Sunday