Tragedy Over the Potomac: No Survivors Expected After U.S. Jet and Army Helicopter Collide

Image Credit, CGTN Newmedia

A catastrophic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport has left no survivors, as officials confirm that 28 bodies have been recovered from the water. The incident, which took place around 9:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, has prompted a large-scale rescue and recovery operation involving hundreds of emergency personnel.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the regional jet had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, and was approaching the airport’s runway when it collided with the military helicopter. American Airlines confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the aircraft, while U.S. defense officials reported that three soldiers were aboard the Blackhawk.

Despite ongoing rescue efforts, officials have indicated that they do not expect to find any survivors. At a press briefing held at 1:00 a.m. local time, a fire and rescue official described the operation as extremely hazardous due to deep water, strong currents, and darkness. More than 300 rescue personnel are involved in what is expected to be a prolonged and arduous recovery process.

Authorities have yet to release information about the potential causes of the accident, but the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense have launched a formal investigation. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagseth stated that military aviation safety experts would be working alongside civilian authorities to determine the circumstances that led to the collision.

The tragedy has devistated the aviation and military communities, with American Airlines setting up a hotline for families of passengers onboard the ill-fated flight. As recovery operations continue, officials say the focus remains on retrieving victims from the wreckage and piecing together what went wrong in the moments leading up to the devastating crash.