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| ▲ Emergency service vehicles stand near the site of a crash after a passenger plane collided with a helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed in the Potomac River outside Washington on Jan. 29, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap) |
(LEAD) passenger plane-collision
(LEAD) Passenger plane crashes in Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; ADDS more info)
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- A passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided in midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport just outside of Washington, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and an airline.
The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as it was nearing a runaway at around 9 p.m., according to the administration. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.
With a search-and-rescue operation under way in the Potomac River, the exact number of casualties remains unknown. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas wrote on social media that there are "fatalities."
"I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls," President Donald Trump said in a statement.
"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."
American Airlines confirmed that there were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft. The Army chopper is reported to have carried three people.
"Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft," the airline said in a statement. "We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts."
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