American Airlines Regional Jet Crashes Near D.C., All Takeoffs and Landings Halted at Reagan National
Photo Credit: An American Eagle CRJ-700 taxies after landing at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. Adobe Stock / Tupungato
Skift Take
The incident marks the first time there has been a commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, when a regional carrier of Continental Airlines crashed into a house in Erie County, New York. Local officials have said they don't believe there are any survivors.
A jet operated by PSA Airlines — part of the American Airlines group — collided with a Black Hawk helicopter as it was approaching Reagan National Airport Wednesday evening, and all takeoffs and landings have been halted.
During a Thursday morning press conference, Duffy said authorities had located the two aircraft and that the fuselage of the regional jet was found in three different parts in the Potomac River.
"We don't believe there are any survivors," said Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS chief John Donnelly during the conference.
Donnelly said they have already recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter.
The incident marks the first time there has been a commercial airline crash in the U.S.
