**Washington, D.C. – Tragedy Strikes as Passenger Jet Collides with Military Helicopter**
A devastating incident unfolded Wednesday night when a passenger plane carrying 64 individuals crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision with a military helicopter. The crash occurred while the aircraft was approaching Washington’s Reagan National Airport around 9:00 pm (0200 GMT) after departing from Wichita, Kansas. Local news outlets report that rescue crews have recovered several bodies from the icy waters.
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier regional jet operated by PSA Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary. According to the airline, there were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard. News outlets such as CBS and NBC report that at least a dozen bodies have been recovered, with sources suggesting the number may be higher.
Among the passengers were members of the U.S. Figure Skating team, including athletes, coaches, and staff, according to a statement from the organization. Meanwhile, a U.S. Army official confirmed that the military helicopter involved was a Black Hawk, carrying three soldiers, their condition currently unknown. The helicopter was reportedly on a training flight at the time.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, with divers working in extremely difficult conditions. Powerful lights illuminated the frigid waters as rescue teams continued to search for survivors. "We will continue this effort as long as necessary," said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, expressing determination to recover the victims.
Washington's Fire Chief, John Donnelly, stated that around 300 emergency responders were working in "extremely rough" conditions and mentioned that it seemed unlikely anyone would be found alive. "We will reassess the situation in the morning when we have more clarity on what we’ve recovered," he added.
Witness Ari Schulman, who was driving at the time of the crash, described seeing a "stream of sparks" trailing from the plane. "At first, the plane looked fine, but just moments later, it banked sharply to the right, and I saw bright yellow sparks trailing from it," Schulman said. "It was like a Roman candle."
President Donald Trump offered his condolences for the victims, saying he had been "fully briefed" on the situation and prayed for the souls lost. However, just hours after the crash, he took to social media to criticize the air traffic control system, questioning why the military helicopter did not alter its course to avoid the collision. He also raised concerns about why the control tower did not direct the helicopter to take evasive action.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all flights at Reagan National Airport following the crash, and the airport remained closed until 11:00 am (1600 GMT) Thursday.
American Airlines' CEO expressed "deep sorrow" over the loss, while Kansas Senator Roger Marshall called the collision "nothing short of a nightmare." Authorities are expected to investigate how such a tragedy could occur despite modern collision-avoidance technology on the passenger plane and the ongoing monitoring by air traffic controllers.
The airspace surrounding Washington, D.C. is often congested, with planes landing at Reagan Airport and numerous helicopters – military and civilian – constantly in the area. This tragic crash follows a long history of aviation accidents in the region, including a deadly crash at the same airport in January 1982, when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the