Airplane Crash Near Reagan Airport: Fatalities Reported

A devastating collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in a significant number of fatalities and prompting a massive rescue effort.

The incident, which involved American Airlines Flight 5342, a CRJ-700 aircraft operated by PSA Airlines, took place during take-off procedures when the plane collided with the helicopter on a training flight. The crash, which occurred at around 21:00 local time, has left at least 19 bodies recovered so far, with rescue efforts still ongoing. US Figure Skating confirmed that several of their athletes were on the plane, adding to the tragic nature of the incident.

The airport has been closed, with all entrances shut down, but is expected to reopen on Thursday at 11:00 local time. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, which has raised concerns about air traffic safety. Meanwhile, American Airlines has released a statement, expressing their cooperation with authorities and assistance in emergency response efforts, and has urged family members of passengers to contact them for updates.

The US President has been briefed on the incident, expressing his view that it "should have been prevented". The Fire Department is coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River, with 300 first responders on the water. As the investigation unfolds, the exact number of fatalities remains unknown, with law enforcement sources confirming at least 19 bodies recovered so far.

As the nation mourns the loss of lives, the incident has raised questions about air traffic safety and the need for increased vigilance to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and updates will be released on American Airlines' website and social media channels as more information becomes available.