Authorities do not believe anyone survived a mid-air collision between a Black Hawk military helicopter and a regional jet approaching Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
Both aircraft ended up in the Potomac River after the collision Wednesday night.
The plane involved was American Eagle Flight 5342, which originated from Wichita, Kansas. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said 60 passengers and four crew members were on the plane. Three people were in the Black Hawk helicopter — a captain, a staff sergeant and chief warrant officer 2.
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Washington, D.C., Fire Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. said Thursday that more than two dozen bodies were pulled from the jet and one body was recovered from the helicopter. Officials have shifted their mission from search and rescue to recovery, Donnelly said.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that it was a clear night and both the jet and helicopter were in a "standard flight pattern" at the time of the crash. Duffy added he believes the incident could have been prevented, but expressed confidence in flight safety.
"I guarantee the American flying public that the United States has the most safe and secure airspace in the world," he said. "We have early indicators of what happened here, and I will tell you with complete confidence we have the safest airspace in the world."
The passenger jet was operated by PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military said the Army helicopter, based in Virginia, was on a training flight with three people on board when the collision occurred.
"We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir," said Joint Task Force-National Capital Region media chief Heather Chairez.
In response to the incident, Reagan National Airport has issued a ground stop for all arriving and departing flights. The ground stop was lifted at 11 a.m. Thursday.
President Trump and his administration are monitoring the situation.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls," Trump said in a statement. "Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
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