No Survivors Expected After Midair Collision Between Passenger Plane and Army Helicopter Near DC

Editorial credit: Eli Wilson / shutterstock.com 

Washington, DC – Officials have confirmed that there are no survivors following a tragic midair collision between a passenger plane and a US Army helicopter on Wednesday night. The collision, which occurred as the plane was approaching Reagan National Airport, caused both aircraft to crash into the Potomac River below.

The collision claimed the lives of all 64 people aboard the plane, as well as the three soldiers on the Army helicopter. The first responders, led by Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, have so far recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter, with the search continuing throughout Thursday.

“We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Chief Donnelly said at a news conference on Thursday morning. “At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

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DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the number of people on board both aircraft, saying there were 64 passengers and crew aboard the plane and three soldiers in the Army helicopter.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation, though early reports suggest the aircraft may have been caught in heavy fog at the time of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are coordinating efforts to piece together the events leading up to the crash.

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Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion shortly before the crash, and debris was scattered across the Potomac River, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Recovery teams have been working through difficult conditions to retrieve bodies from the wreckage submerged in the river.

“We will continue our efforts to recover the victims and provide support to their families,” Mayor Bowser said. “This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those affected.”

The midair collision is one of the most devastating aviation incidents in the region in recent years, and it has sent shockwaves through the local community. Authorities are providing counseling services to first responders and families of the victims as they cope with the loss.

The incident remains under investigation, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.

Congresswoman Clarke, (D-9), Brooklyn, NY expresses her condolences. 

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