Officers feared the opportunity of a number of deaths early Thursday hours after a industrial jet from Kansas carrying 60 passengers collided midair with an Military helicopter through the aircraft’s method to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser didn’t share the variety of casualties or survivors throughout a briefing shortly earlier than 1 a.m., however lawmakers from Kansas mentioned it’s probably a number of folks have been killed when the 2 plane collided Wednesday night time.
“When one particular person dies, it’s a tragedy, however when many, many, many individuals die, it’s an insufferable sorrow,” Sen. Roger Marshall, Kansas Republican, mentioned on the briefing.
American Airways confirmed 60 passengers and 4 crew have been on board the aircraft coming from Wichita, Kansas. U.S. Military officers mentioned three folks have been on board the Blackhawk helicopter flying out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Fellow Sen. Jerry Moran from Kansas mentioned he lobbied American Airways so as to add the direct flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan Nationwide roughly a yr in the past and infrequently makes the identical journey himself.
“It’s definitely true that in Kansas, and in Wichita specifically, we’re going to know people who find themselves on this flight — know their members of the family, know someone — so this can be a very private circumstance in addition to an official response,” Mr. Moran mentioned.
All flights into the airport have been stopped for the night time as divers from federal and native businesses raced into the frigid Potomac River to seek for survivors.
A federal regulation enforcement officer mentioned a “few our bodies” have been pulled from the murky river that has icy chunks floating on its floor and excessive winds over the water.
“That may be a very powerful situation for them to dive in,” D.C. Fireplace and EMS Chief John Donnelly mentioned concerning the rescue operation with about 300 first responders on web site.
Three emergency care suppliers within the D.C. metropolitan space — Inova Fairfax, MedStar Well being and VHC Well being — advised ABC late Wednesday they haven’t acquired any sufferers from the crash.
“I’ve been absolutely briefed on the horrible accident which simply came about at Reagan Nationwide Airport. Might God Bless their souls,” President Trump mentioned in a press release. “Thanks for the unbelievable work being carried out by our first responders. I’m monitoring the scenario and can present extra particulars as they come up.”
Chief Donnelly mentioned the crash occurred round 8:50 p.m. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the collision concerned a PSA Airways Bombardier CRJ700 regional airliner and a Sirosky H-60 helicopter because the jet approached Runway 33 at Reagan Nationwide Airport.
In response to the Related Press, air visitors controllers requested the arrival passenger jet if it may land on the shorter Runway 33 and the pilots mentioned they have been ready. Controllers then cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 33.
An air visitors controller requested the helicopter if it had the arrival aircraft in sight lower than 30 seconds earlier than the crash.
The controller makes one other radio name to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 go behind the CRJ.” The 2 plane collided seconds later.
The aircraft’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 toes wanting the runway, roughly over the center of the river.
The tower instantly started diverting different plane from Reagan.
“First and most significantly, I’d like to specific our deep sorrow about these occasions,” American Airways CEO Robert Isom mentioned in a video assertion concerning the crash. “This can be a tough day for all of us at American Airways, and our efforts now are targeted totally on the wants of our passengers, crew members, companions, first responders, together with their households and family members.”
Emergency crews initially mentioned they have been responding to a regional provider taking place within the Potomac River close to the airport. The Coast Guard and authorities from the District, Virginia and Maryland lined either side of the river through the ongoing search.
A regulation enforcement supply mentioned cell morgues have been dispatched to the crash scene.
Hamaad Raza advised WUSA-TV his spouse was aboard the passenger jet and texted him about 20 minutes earlier than it was alleged to land. He mentioned his texts again to her weren’t delivered.
“I’m simply praying that somebody is pulling her out of the river proper now as we communicate,” Mr. Raza advised the station.
Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was on the press briefing with different regional officers and mentioned he’s actively monitoring the scenario.
The FAA mentioned all flights into Reagan Nationwide are halted till 11 a.m.
• This story is predicated partly on wire service experiences
