Fire Chief Reports No Survivors Expected in Washington Aircraft Collision
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Synopsis
On January 31, Washington D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly announced that the mid-air collision of a passenger plane and helicopter near Reagan National Airport likely resulted in no survivors. Recovery operations are underway, with 27 bodies recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter.
Key Takeaways
- No survivors are expected from the aircraft collision.
- Recovery operations have begun.
- Weather conditions were severe for responders.
- National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
- Airport is set to reopen soon.
Washington, Jan 31 (NationPress) The Fire Chief of Washington D.C. has reported that there are likely no survivors following the mid-air crash involving a passenger aircraft and a helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night.
"We have transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. Currently, we do not anticipate any survivors from this tragic incident," stated John Donnelly, Chief of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, during a press briefing at the airport on Thursday morning.
The American Airlines flight had 60 passengers and four crew members, while the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three US Army soldiers.
Donnelly indicated that at 8:48 p.m. local time on Thursday evening, the control tower issued an alert regarding a reported aircraft collision in the vicinity of the airport, leading to a response from approximately 300 rescuers.
"The responders encountered extremely cold conditions, strong winds, and ice on the water, and they worked throughout the night under these challenging circumstances," he added.
"We have successfully recovered 27 individuals from the plane and one from the helicopter," reported the Fire Chief.
"The debris field is somewhat dispersed, so there is still work to be done."
During the press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned that the helicopter was adhering to a "standard" flight path on Thursday night, and the passenger aircraft was also in a "standard" approach as it was nearing Washington D.C., without clarifying what led to the fatal collision.
Duffy noted that the National Transportation Safety Board will commence an investigation in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, stated that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport when the incident occurred just before 9 p.m. local time Thursday as it was finalizing its approach.
"The aircraft collided with a military helicopter during what was otherwise a routine approach, and we are currently unaware of why the military helicopter entered the PSA aircraft's flight path," he remarked.
The transportation secretary confirmed that there was no communication breakdown.
When questioned if the plane was aware of the helicopter's presence, Duffy did not provide a direct answer but noted that the helicopter was aware of the plane's location.
Jack Carter, the chief executive of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority—which oversees the airport—confirmed that the airport is set to reopen at 11 a.m. local time on Friday.
