American Airlines Plane Collides with Helicopter, No Survivors
Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday night, an American Airlines (AAL) passenger plane collided in midair with a military helicopter as it approached Reagan Washington National Airport. The plane, operated by American Eagle, broke into three parts and crashed into the Potomac River.
Tragically, there are no survivors among the 64 passengers and crew on the airplane and three soldiers aboard the helicopter. "We are heartbroken," said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom.
The FAA reported that the collision occurred between a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. Both aircraft were approaching Runway 33 at the airport when the incident occurred.
The NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. The US Secretary of Defense has also launched an investigation.
The accident is the first commercial airplane collision since 2009 and the deadliest plane crash since November 2001.