Blog
FREE CONSULTATION (202) 331-1963
Se Habla Espanol
OVER 50+ 5 STAR REVIEWS
★★★★★

No Survivors in American Airlines Jet and Black Hawk Helicopter Crash in Washington, D.C.

All passengers and crew aboard an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter are believed to be dead after a mid-air collision in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. As of Thursday afternoon, 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter have been recovered. No survivors are expected.

Washington, D.C. Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services deployed a massive emergency response that included boats and dive teams from police and fire departments across the area. The crash occurred near 9:00 p.m., and rescuers battled darkness, cold temperatures, and frigid water throughout the night.

American Airlines Flight 5342, originating in Wichita, Kansas, was approaching land when the collision occurred. According to Army officials, the Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk, carrying three soldiers out of the 12th Aviation Battalion B-Company in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a training mission when it flew into the path of the oncoming jet. Recordings show that air traffic controllers attempted to warn the helicopter but received no response.

Members of the U.S. figure-skating team, coaches, and family were on board the plane, along with 1994 world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

Rescue crews continue to search the area for passengers and recover portions of the aircraft, flight recorders, and passengers’ personal items. Officials from the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating.

The Law Offices of Duane O. King is a top-rated personal injury law firm. For information about our services, call 202-331-1963 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, Maryland, and Falls Church, Virginia, we serve clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.