Washington: passenger plane collides with US Army helicopter,18 bodies recovered

WASHINGTON: An American Airlines regional passenger plane was involved in a mid-air collision on Wednesday night with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, officials said. The crash occurred five kilometres away from the White House.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on social media that “we know there are fatalities,” though he did not say how many. According to the American media, the plane was carrying 60 passengers including crew members. The Regan National Airport ‘s air traffic control said that the plane wad advised to land on runway 33.

Eighteen bodies have been pulled out from water after the plane crashed into Potomac River, and no senior officials were on board. However, three soldiers were present in the helicopter at time of the crash.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had been briefed on the “terrible accident” and that he was monitoring the situation and would provide details as they arise.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said a PSA Airlines regional jet collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Reagan. A US Army official confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash.

PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA. According to American Airlines’ website, the jet can carry up to 65 passengers.

Police said multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.

The airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering more information on the incident.

There has not been a fatal US passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns.

American Airlines said on social media that it was “aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident.”

American Airlines said it would provide more information as it became available to the company.