STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Dozens Feared Dead After American Eagle Flight, Army Helicopter Collide Near D.C.

An investigation and recovery efforts have already begun.

All 60 passengers, including two American figure skaters and four crew members aboard American Eagle Flight 5342, are said to be dead after their aircraft collided midair with an Army helicopter carrying three soldiers near Reagan Washington National Airport late yesterday. 

John Donnelly, chief of D.C. Fire and EMS, during a press conference Thursday morning (Jan 30), reported that everyone was presumed dead.“We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Donnell said. “At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.” 

The collision occurred as the CRJ701ER aircraft was on its final approach to Reagan Airport. Preliminary air traffic control recordings indicate that the helicopter crew was aware of the plane's presence. An air traffic controller was heard instructing, "PAT25, do you have a CRJ in sight? PAT25, pass behind the CRJ." Moments later, a fireball was observed as both aircraft descended into the Potomac River.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said, “At this time we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the … aircraft.”

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The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. Rescue operations commenced immediately, with over 300 first responders braving frigid temperatures. Donnelly noted, “Conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It's cold. They're dealing with windy conditions.”

Among the passengers were former Russian world ice skating champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, as well as several U.S. ice skaters, family members, and coaches returning from a camp following figure skating championships in Wichita. 

The Pentagon has announced an investigation into the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the inquiry, focusing on the communication between the aircraft and air traffic control, as well as the flight paths and protocols of both the passenger jet and the military helicopter.

The Potomac River has been the site of aviation tragedies before. In 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge and plunged into the river, resulting in 78 fatalities. 

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