American Airlines regional jet involved midair collision
The incident occurred at 8:45 p.m. EST, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.
The American Eagle flight had 60 passengers and four crew members, the carrier told TPG.
The FAA halted all takeoffs and landings late Wednesday amid a large-scale investigation. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American.
The incident took place at 8:45 p.m. EST, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the American Eagle flight, the carrier told TPG.
The FAA halted all takeoffs and landings late Wednesday amid a large-scale investigation and search for survivors in the nearby Potomac River.
“They are working diligently in very dark, cold conditions — cold water — to execute this rescue operation,” Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference around 1 a.m. EST Thursday.
The military helicopter involved in Wednesday evening’s crash was in the midst of a training flight, the U.S. Army said. The helicopter had three people on board at the time, Bowser confirmed.
Local and regional fire and emergency responders were on the scene conducting search and rescue into the early hours of Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a video message late Wednesday and confirmed plans to travel to D.C.
“I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events. Isom stated that this is a very difficult day for American Airlines. Our efforts are now focused on our passengers, crew, partners, first-responders, as well as their families and loved one’s needs. NTSB investigators were on the scene early Thursday, according to the agency.
“We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts,” Isom said in his video message.
American planned to set up a communications center inside a DCA Admirals Club.
The airline dispatched a “go team” to Washington. NTSB investigators were on the scene early Thursday, the agency confirmed.
The airline dispatched a “go team” to Washington, Isom said in his video message.
“We are actively working with local, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts,” Isom said.
American planned to set up a communications center inside a DCA Admirals Club, officials confirmed.
Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy was at FAA headquarters late Wednesday, he said, and directed the agency to support the NTSB and other agencies amid the investigation.
“We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who were impacted by the events tonight — their families, we know this is a very difficult time for all of them,” Duffy said at Thursday’s news conference.
The nation’s largest pilots union released a statement late Wednesday that said it was “shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA. “
“Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and ALPA’s accident investigation team is responding to assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their investigation,” the Air Line Pilots Association said.
The closest airport to Washington, D.C., Reagan National sits in some of the most congested and tightly regulated airspace in the country.
Immediately following the crash, 19 aircraft that were in the air were diverted to nearby Dulles International Airport (IAD), according to Jack Potter, CEO of DCA’s governing body, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
As the investigation unfolds, Potter said DCA would remain closed until at least 11 a.m. EST Thursday, though that timeline is likely to remain fluid.
Amid that airport closure, several major U.S. airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers with flights to or from the airport over the next day or two to make itinerary changes at no cost.
Some of those travel advisories can be found below:
Prior to Wednesday’s accident, it had been nearly 16 years since the last major crash involving a commercial aircraft on U.S. soil.
This is a developing story. This is a developing story.
