A tragic collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DC) has left the nation in mourning. Local and federal officials held a press conference to address the devastating incident, expressing their condolences and outlining the ongoing investigation.
The mayor of Washington D.C. opened the conference, acknowledging the profound grief shared by the community and the nation. He thanked the first responders who braved frigid conditions and the icy Potomac River throughout the night, working tirelessly in a heroic effort. He then introduced the Secretary of Transportation and the Fire Chief for further updates.
Secretary Duffy emphasized the collaborative effort between the Department of Transportation, the FAA, the White House, and local, state, and federal partners. She confirmed that both aircraft were operating on standard flight paths, common for the D.C. area. The American Airlines flight was approaching DCA for landing, while the military helicopter was on a routine flight pattern along the Potomac River. Secretary Duffy stressed the importance of safety in aviation and assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision. She vowed to find answers for the families and the American people.
Fire Chief Donnelly provided a detailed account of the emergency response. The initial alert of a potential aircraft crash quickly escalated as responders confirmed the collision. Approximately 300 personnel from various agencies, including fire departments from surrounding counties, the Coast Guard, the Park Police, and the FBI, were deployed to the scene. Chief Donnelly acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by first responders, including frigid temperatures, high winds, and ice on the river. He confirmed the transition from a rescue to a recovery operation, expressing the belief that there were no survivors. The recovery of 27 individuals from the plane and one from the helicopter was confirmed. The D.C. Office of the Medical Examiner is leading the effort to identify the victims and reunite them with their families, with assistance from the Virginia and Army medical examiners.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, expressed his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those on board both aircraft. He confirmed that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, en route from Wichita, Kansas, to DCA, was involved in the collision just before 9 p.m. local time. The CRJ700 aircraft had a crew of four and 60 passengers. Isom stated that the airline’s priority is supporting the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew. A designated helpline (1-800-679-8215) was established for families seeking information. He thanked the first responders for their courageous efforts and confirmed that American Airlines is cooperating fully with the NTSB investigation.
The CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Jack Potter, also offered his condolences and echoed the praise for the first responders. He confirmed that the airport would reopen at 11 a.m. that day, stating that the primary runway was clear of the accident site and safe for operation. He assured the public that the decision to reopen was made in consultation with all relevant federal agencies.
Members of the Virginia congressional delegation, including Senators Warner and Kaine and Representative Beyer, addressed the gathering, expressing their condolences and emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the various jurisdictions and federal partners in responding to the tragedy. They highlighted the importance of the NTSB investigation and the need to learn from the incident to prevent future occurrences.
During the question and answer session, officials addressed inquiries about the flight paths, communication between the aircraft and air traffic control, and the ongoing recovery efforts. They emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that they would refrain from speculation. They reiterated their confidence in the safety of U.S. airspace and their commitment to determining the cause of the collision. The challenges of the recovery operation, given the spread of debris and the difficult conditions, were also discussed. Officials confirmed that the NTSB is leading the investigation and that they will provide further briefings as information becomes available. The focus remains on supporting the families, recovering all victims, and thoroughly investigating the circumstances of this tragic event.
