An American Airlines regional jet with around 60 passengers crashed in Washington D.C. Wednesday night following a collision with a military helicopter, according to officials.
Here’s what we know so far.
What happened?
According to a statement from American Arlines, American Eagle flight 5342 was flying from Wichita, Kansas to Ronald Reagan National Airport. It was operated by PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fort Worth-based company.
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The aircraft involved is a Bombardier CRJ700 according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Roger Marshall, a U.S. Senator for Kansas, said in a post on X that the plane was carrying around 60 passengers.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, posted on Instagram that there were fatalities involved, though it’s not immediately clear how many there are.
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families,” Marshall said.
Related:American Airlines regional jet crashes into Potomac River after colliding with chopper
While heading to Runway 33, the jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at around 8 p.m. Dallas time, according to the FAA. The agency also said the National Transportation Safety Board will be leading the investigation into the crash.
All takeoffs and landings at the D.C. airport have been halted as a result, as multiple agencies are conducting a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.
Alex Nguyen is a breaking news reporter with The Dallas Morning News. Her work has appeared in The Texas Tribune, Bloomberg News as well as various regional and national outlets in Canada. She speaks Vietnamese and conversational Spanish, and is always on the lookout for delicious street food.
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