American Airlines Express Flight Collides with Military Helicopter Near Reagan Washington National Airport
Key Points:
* American Airlines CEO expresses condolences over fatal collision involving 64 passengers.
* Pentagon and National Transportation Safety Board initiate investigations.
* Flight operated by PSA Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary, was carrying athletes and their families from Wichita, Kansas.
* 28 bodies recovered, no survivors expected.
* Collision is the first involving a commercial aircraft since 2009 and the deadliest since 2001.
* Cause of the collision remains unknown, despite regular flight paths for both aircraft.
* Plane was a Bombardier jet known for reliability and commonly used for regional flights.
* American Airlines stock declined pre-market.
Additional Information:
* Recovery efforts shifted to a recovery operation due to frigid conditions.
* U.S. Figure Skating confirms the presence of its athletes, family members, and coaches on the flight.
* U.S. Transportation Secretary describes the collision as "preventable."