A devastating collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport has left 67 people dead. The Bombardier jet, operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, carried 64 passengers, while the helicopter had three crew members aboard. The wreckage was found in the frigid waters of the Potomac River, with recovery operations underway.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday evening, marked the first major aviation disaster in the United States since 2009. The jet had been returning from Wichita, Kansas, with ice skaters among its passengers, including world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
Also Read: Plane Crash in South Sudan Claims At Least 20 Lives
Officials confirmed that no survivors were found, and the incident has raised concerns over airspace congestion around Washington DC. Despite routine flight patterns followed by both aircraft, a communication breakdown could not be ruled out, although both flights were said to be in standard operation.
The tragic event underscores the risks posed by busy airspaces in the US capital region, which is home to several airports and military facilities. The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the causes of the crash.
