A tragic plane crash rocked Washington D.C. on Thursday when a commercial airliner of American Eagle, a regional airline subsidiary of American Airlines, collided in midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport. The incident killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft: there were no survivors.
Accident details
The plane, from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter was carrying three members of the U.S. Army. The collision occurred around 20:48 local time, causing both aircraft to fall into the Potomac River. Rescue teams recovered 28 bodies, and authorities confirmed that there were no survivors.
Ongoing research
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the plane’s black and flight data boxes, which are being analyzed to determine the causes of the accident. A preliminary report with initial findings is expected to be issued within 30 days.
Official reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the accident could be related to policies of previous Democratic administrations, insinuating that the hiring of “people with disabilities” as air traffic controllers, as part of diversity and inclusion policies, could have influenced the incident. These statements have generated controversy and public debate.
Notable victims
Among the victims were two former world figure skating champions, which has shocked the international sports community. Their names have not yet been officially released. Authorities continue to work on the recovery of the victims.
Next steps
The public and the media have been urged to avoid speculation until official information is available. The public and the media have been urged to avoid speculation until official information is available. The NTSB has emphasized the importance of relying on verified data before reaching conclusions about what happened. This tragic incident has left a deep impression on the nation, and it is hoped that ongoing investigations will shed light on the circumstances that led to this devastating collision.