Washington plane crash: What we know so far
Washington plane crash: What we know so far
Share:
A "highly complex" search and rescue operation is underway after a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter in Washington DC. The American Airlines flight, with 60 passengers and four crew on board, was landing at the Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided mid-air with the military aircraft, which had three soldiers on board.
Washington plane crash latest: Follow updates as rescue continues. Both aircraft then crashed into the Potomac River and 300 responders are currently working on the scene in "extremely tough" conditions, officials have said. Despite local media reports claiming four people have been found alive, DC fire chief John Donnelly said at a press conference: "We don't know if there are survivors, but we are working on it.".
This is what we know so far:. • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the crash involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ701 twin-engine jet regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. • American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, was travelling from Wichita, Kansas with 60 passengers and four crew on board. American Eagle is a regional brand for American Airlines.
• The airliner was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport and the US Army helicopter - a UH-60 Black Hawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia - was on a training flight when the collision happened. Three soldiers were on board.
