Passenger Plane and US Army Helicopter Crash Near Washington, Casualties Feared

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US Army Black Hawk and Passenger Jet Collide Near Washington, Casualties Feared

Washington:
A US Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers collided midair with an American Airlines regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, a US official confirmed on Wednesday.

The condition of the soldiers remains unknown, but the official clarified that no senior military personnel were on board. The UH-60 Black Hawk involved in the crash was reportedly based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Senator Ted Cruz stated on social media that “fatalities have been confirmed,” though the exact number remains unclear.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), PSA Airlines Flight 5342, operating for American Airlines, was approaching Reagan Airport when it collided with the military helicopter. The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was capable of carrying up to 65 passengers.

Authorities, including multiple law enforcement agencies, have launched a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport. As a result, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan Airport were temporarily halted.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently gathering further details about the incident.

The US has not witnessed a fatal passenger airplane accident since 2009, though recent near-miss incidents have sparked growing safety concerns.

American Airlines acknowledged reports of the collision and assured that more details would be shared as they became available.

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