Authorities report no survivors in plane crash at Washington's Reagan airport
The D.C. Fire and EMS chief reported that a total of twenty-seven bodies were retrieved from the crashed Bombardier CRJ700, which was operated by PSA Airlines, along with one body recovered from the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter.
TroibNews 
Authorities announced Thursday morning that they believe there were no survivors from the crash between a regional American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter late Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly stated at a news conference that 27 bodies had been recovered from the Bombardier CRJ700, operated by PSA Airlines, and one body from the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter involved in the accident.
The plane, which took off from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three soldiers onboard.
“We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Donnelly emphasized. “We don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
He added that his team is focusing on recovering all bodies and wreckage.
Sen. Tim Kaine remarked that there will be “a lot of questions” regarding the incident. Kaine, who had previously raised concerns about congestion at the airport, noted that lawmakers have been vocal about their worries but cautioned against speculation, expressing trust in the National Transportation Safety Board to provide clarity.
Last year, Congress faced significant debate over the FAA reauthorization bill, with Virginia senators and local lawmakers highlighting safety concerns when considering adding flight slots at the busy airport.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom explained that the plane collided with “a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach” and stated he is unsure why the crash happened. “At this time, we don’t know why the [helicopter] came into the path of the PSA aircraft,” Isom added.
The Army confirmed that the helicopter was one of theirs, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was conducting a training mission at the time of the crash. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a video message on X, indicated it was an “annual proficiency training flight,” withholding the names and ranks of those involved until all next of kin had been notified. He mentioned that the crew was “fairly experienced” and equipped with night vision goggles.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, which operated the helicopter, has instituted a 48-hour pause on contingency missions while investigating the crash.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated at the news conference that conditions were clear and both the helicopter and the jet were in a “standard” flight pattern. He noted that the flight paths for both aircraft “were not unusual” but could not comment on the actions of air traffic controllers at the time of the incident. Duffy confirmed that the helicopter was “aware” of the aircraft in the vicinity.
Despite this tragic event, Duffy maintained that the U.S. operates the safest skies in the world but concluded, “Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.”
The last major fatal crash involving a U.S. airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 deaths aboard a regional jet and one on the ground; Wednesday's incident is likely to exceed that toll.
Authorities reported that both crashed aircraft have been located, with the fuselage of the jet “inverted” and in three sections in roughly waist-deep water.
PSA Airlines operates the plane for American Airlines. Isom shared that the captain had six years of experience with the regional airline, while the first officer had two years.
Several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, returning from an event in Wichita, Kansas, were on board the aircraft, according to spokesperson Alex Schauffler.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser indicated that the NTSB is expected to give a briefing later on Thursday. John Potter, who leads the airport, confirmed it would reopen at 11 a.m., noting that “it’s been determined” it’s safe to do so.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly stated at a news conference that 27 bodies had been recovered from the Bombardier CRJ700, operated by PSA Airlines, and one body from the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter involved in the accident.
The plane, which took off from Wichita, Kansas, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three soldiers onboard.
“We are now at a point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” Donnelly emphasized. “We don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
He added that his team is focusing on recovering all bodies and wreckage.
Sen. Tim Kaine remarked that there will be “a lot of questions” regarding the incident. Kaine, who had previously raised concerns about congestion at the airport, noted that lawmakers have been vocal about their worries but cautioned against speculation, expressing trust in the National Transportation Safety Board to provide clarity.
Last year, Congress faced significant debate over the FAA reauthorization bill, with Virginia senators and local lawmakers highlighting safety concerns when considering adding flight slots at the busy airport.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom explained that the plane collided with “a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach” and stated he is unsure why the crash happened. “At this time, we don’t know why the [helicopter] came into the path of the PSA aircraft,” Isom added.
The Army confirmed that the helicopter was one of theirs, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was conducting a training mission at the time of the crash. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a video message on X, indicated it was an “annual proficiency training flight,” withholding the names and ranks of those involved until all next of kin had been notified. He mentioned that the crew was “fairly experienced” and equipped with night vision goggles.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, which operated the helicopter, has instituted a 48-hour pause on contingency missions while investigating the crash.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated at the news conference that conditions were clear and both the helicopter and the jet were in a “standard” flight pattern. He noted that the flight paths for both aircraft “were not unusual” but could not comment on the actions of air traffic controllers at the time of the incident. Duffy confirmed that the helicopter was “aware” of the aircraft in the vicinity.
Despite this tragic event, Duffy maintained that the U.S. operates the safest skies in the world but concluded, “Do I think this was preventable? Absolutely.”
The last major fatal crash involving a U.S. airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in 49 deaths aboard a regional jet and one on the ground; Wednesday's incident is likely to exceed that toll.
Authorities reported that both crashed aircraft have been located, with the fuselage of the jet “inverted” and in three sections in roughly waist-deep water.
PSA Airlines operates the plane for American Airlines. Isom shared that the captain had six years of experience with the regional airline, while the first officer had two years.
Several members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, returning from an event in Wichita, Kansas, were on board the aircraft, according to spokesperson Alex Schauffler.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser indicated that the NTSB is expected to give a briefing later on Thursday. John Potter, who leads the airport, confirmed it would reopen at 11 a.m., noting that “it’s been determined” it’s safe to do so.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
