American Eagle Flight 5342 collided midair Wednesday evening with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on its approach to Reagan National Airport (DCA), with 60 passengers and four crew members onboard. Officials believe that there were no survivors, making this the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.
The plane and helicopter went down into the Potomac River, where the water temperature was around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The Associated Press reports the body of the aircraft was found upside-down in three sections in the water and that the helicopter’s wreckage has also been found.
“The initial briefs were that everything was routine going into the approach for landing for American Airlines Flight 5342 and that, in fact, contact had been made with, of course, the military helicopter as well,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “But of course, it clearly wasn’t routine, and we had two aircraft in the river with 67 fatalities.”
American Airlines has established a toll-free hotline for individuals concerned that a loved one may have been on board: 800-679-8215.
All takeoffs and landings from Reagan National Airport were stopped until 11 am Thursday. Several airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers flying to or from the airport to make itinerary changes.
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