An American Airways regional jet was concerned in a midair collision late Wednesday evening close to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA), the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.
In a press release to TPG, the FAA mentioned a regional jet inbound from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a navy helicopter whereas getting ready to land at DCA. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was operated by PSA Airways, a regional subsidiary of American.
The incident passed off at 8:45 p.m. EST, D.C. Fireplace and EMS confirmed.
There have been 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board the American Eagle flight, the provider instructed TPG.
The FAA halted all takeoffs and landings late Wednesday amid a large-scale investigation, and seek for survivors within the close by Potomac River.
“They’re working diligently in very darkish, chilly situations — chilly water — to execute this rescue operation,” Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser mentioned at a information convention round 1 a.m. EST Thursday.
The navy helicopter concerned in Wednesday night’s crash was within the midst of a coaching flight, the U.S. Military mentioned.
Native and regional hearth and emergency responders had been on scene conducting search and rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the search, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned. The helicopter had three folks on board on the time, Bowser confirmed.
American Airways CEO Robert Isom launched a video message late Wednesday, and confirmed plans to journey to D.C.
“I might like to specific our deep sorrow about these occasions. It is a troublesome day for all of us at American Airways and our efforts now are centered fully on the wants of our passengers, crew members, companions, first responders, together with their households and family members,” Isom mentioned.
The airline urged those that imagine they could have family members on board the flight to name American Airways toll-free quantity at (800) 679-8215.
As of 1 a.m. EST Thursday, the variety of casualties remained unclear. The Nationwide Transportation Security Board will lead the investigation, the FAA mentioned. NTSB investigators had been on scene early Thursday, the company confirmed.
The airline dispatched a “go group” to Washington, Isom mentioned in his video message.
“We’re actively working with native, state and federal authorities on emergency response efforts,” Isom mentioned.
American deliberate to arrange a communications middle inside a DCA Admirals Membership, officers confirmed.
Newly-confirmed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was at FAA headquarters late Wednesday, he mentioned, and directed the company to help the NTSB and different businesses amid the investigation.
“We need to prolong our ideas and prayers to these people who had been impacted by the occasions tonight — their households, we all know it is a very troublesome time for all of them,” Duffy mentioned at Thursday’s information convention.
The nation’s largest pilots union launched a press release late Wednesday, and mentioned it was “shocked and saddened by the tragic accident at DCA.”
“Our ideas are with these affected by this tragedy and ALPA’s accident investigation group is responding to help the Nationwide Transportation Security Board of their investigation,” the Air Line Pilots Affiliation mentioned.
The closest airport to Washington, D.C., Reagan Nationwide sits in among the most congested and tightly-regulated airspace within the nation.
Instantly following the crash, 19 plane that had been within the air had been diverted to close by Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), in accordance with Jack Potter, CEO of DCA’s governing physique, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Because the investigation unfolds, Potter mentioned DCA would stay closed till at the least 11 a.m. EST Thursday, although that timeline is prone to stay fluid.
Amid that airport closure, a number of main U.S. airways have issued journey waivers permitting passengers with flights to or from the airport over the subsequent day or two to make itinerary adjustments without charge.
A few of these journey advisories will be discovered under:
Previous to Wednesday’s accident, it had been practically 16 years for the reason that final main crash involving a business plane on U.S. soil.
It is a creating story. Verify again for additional updates.