{"id":14249,"date":"2025-01-30T08:41:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T13:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/?p=14249"},"modified":"2025-01-30T08:42:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T13:42:42","slug":"when-a-u-s-military-black-hawk-helicopter-collides-with-a-commercial-aa-airliner-over-washington-dc-you-know-that-it-was-made-to-happen-on-purpose-by-the","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/?p=14249","title":{"rendered":"<h2><b><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter collides with a commercial AA airliner over Washington DC, you know that it was made to happen ON PURPOSE by the&#8230;&#8230;<\/span><\/b><\/h2>"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>&#8230;U.S. Intelligence Community in collusion with the<br \/>\nU.S. Armed Forces.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14251\" src=\"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screen-Shot-2025-01-30-at-8.33.43-AM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"524\" height=\"577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screen-Shot-2025-01-30-at-8.33.43-AM.png 524w, https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Screen-Shot-2025-01-30-at-8.33.43-AM-272x300.png 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"DockVideoPlayer--noDockMobile\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"FeaturedMedia\">\n<div class=\"ResponsiveWrapper\">\n<aside class=\"InlineElement InlineElement--content-width InlineElement--mobile InlineVideo FeaturedVideo\" aria-label=\"Video\">\n<div class=\"SingleVideo\">\n<div class=\"Caption__Wrapper\">\n<div class=\"Caption\">\n<p class=\"Caption__Title\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"RichText\">No survivors in DC plane crash: Fire chief<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"Caption__TextWrapper\">\n<div class=\"Caption__Text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><span class=\"Truncate Truncate--collapsed\"><span class=\"RichText\">No survivors are expected from the plane crash, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said during a press conference Thursday morning.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"XQpSH \" data-testid=\"prism-divider\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"xvlfx ZRifP TKoO eaKKC EcdEg bOdfO qXhdi NFNeu UyHES \" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">A regional American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night in the nation&#8217;s first major commercial airline crash since 2009.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">There are confirmed fatalities from the collision, law enforcement sources familiar with the ongoing operation told ABC News. Several bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, and so far, no survivors have been rescued, sources said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur oVsVV \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/90d3633d-539f-40a3-b142-449aaca8e1ee\/PlaneCrashDC_v06_1738215557522_hpEmbed_1x1.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/90d3633d-539f-40a3-b142-449aaca8e1ee\/PlaneCrashDC_v06_1738215557522_hpEmbed_1x1.jpg?w=750 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/90d3633d-539f-40a3-b142-449aaca8e1ee\/PlaneCrashDC_v06_1738215557522_hpEmbed_1x1.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/90d3633d-539f-40a3-b142-449aaca8e1ee\/PlaneCrashDC_v06_1738215557522_hpEmbed_1x1.jpg?w=1500 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/90d3633d-539f-40a3-b142-449aaca8e1ee\/PlaneCrashDC_v06_1738215557522_hpEmbed_1x1.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-testid=\"prism-image\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<div class=\"HXPPJ barbu yKsXL IzgMt VcHIt uhSzI YGNMU cRAsZ xqMcl QtRul \"><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Map of the area around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the layout of Runway 33, which the regional American Airlines jet was&#8230;<\/span><button class=\"rmXUm rGbDS UbGlr fKEHm NQBmG kGyAC LDLer mrzbZ RzTJw hGXEb YKYa-d lqtkC HkWF HfYhe UoVV WtEci dSKvB seFhp NqeUA UzzHi YusgD gYkWv jIRH mLASH FSaCd VTMUD kzvcA VTlC KgrzM nMMea bNYiy qEZfD hukhf GZviH aMUVL VwboG LpXnG eFRhh fzuTW hUXYk TsdbM TkDoS NJHde eWOet BZZZx \" type=\"button\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Show More about Image Caption\" data-testid=\"truncate-button\">Show more<\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"qinlA IpWvx oqZz tylGM lyWxS nWcVF UhTug PPcLh \"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">ABC News, Flightradar24.com<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">There were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the jet, which can hold up to 70 passengers. It departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I know that flight. I&#8217;ve flown it many times myself,&#8221; Jerry Moran, a senator from Kansas, said at a press briefing on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I lobbied American Airlines to begin having a direct, nonstop flight service to DCA,&#8221; he said of the route, which has been operating for about one year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \"><\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we&#8217;re going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody. So this is a very personal circumstance, as well as an official response,&#8221; Moran added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div class=\"XQpSH zzkIM UtCfs sXthe lyRMG \" data-testid=\"prism-divider\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<section class=\"Kiog iKqXF CHWlW ZgZTu FlDNH hQfuy feniZ wBpop uAyYK yJYJo OGgqj tQHio PCVZs \" data-testid=\"prism-collection\">\n<div class=\"liAe uMOq zYIfP pYgZk Mxrkk hsDdd lZur TPpRg NoUSU igcMP DtJWr QgBvn DFdlJ EwJTR UpiKB sKbok RsAxh msYPt zKjNI SXHxp OaElp halTF KzevM LFuuA xTOeQ jLoop FbRJS VsDDe puLAk IlWTY uPokU OSGug wBYl eBjQR NZiwR \" data-testid=\"prism-card\">\n<div class=\"QGHKv iVcn avodi rEPuv ICwhc ibBnq \">\n<div class=\"VZTD HNQqj QXDKT QBuju SHKi nCIGi NxHUa sJErG nJjCu dlVQH \" data-testid=\"prism-meta\">\n<div class=\"CJAFL gDeX \">\n<h3 id=\"MOREDCplanecrashliveheadline\" class=\"PFoxV eBpQD rcQBv bQtjQ lQUdN GpQCA mAkiF FvMyr WvoqU \">MORE: DC plane crash live updates: Blackhawk helicopter collides with regional jet<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"MOREDCplanecrashliveindicators\" class=\"NwMid ExxYR tyAg WZxmx dWIDw ZxQhU \"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"XQpSH zzkIM UtCfs Ufjyt \" data-testid=\"prism-divider\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Three\u00a0<a id=\"_ap_link_Army_USMilitary_\" class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/alerts\/us-military\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\">Army<\/a>\u00a0soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter at the time of the crash. Army officials confirmed that no senior military leaders were onboard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight at the time, according to Heather Chairez, spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">It was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, according to an Army official. &#8220;We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available,&#8221; the official said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div class=\"XQpSH zzkIM UtCfs sXthe lyRMG \" data-testid=\"prism-divider\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<section class=\"Kiog iKqXF CHWlW ZgZTu FlDNH hQfuy feniZ wBpop uAyYK yJYJo OGgqj tQHio PCVZs \" data-testid=\"prism-collection\">\n<div class=\"liAe uMOq zYIfP pYgZk Mxrkk hsDdd lZur TPpRg NoUSU igcMP DtJWr QgBvn DFdlJ EwJTR UpiKB sKbok RsAxh msYPt zKjNI SXHxp OaElp halTF KzevM LFuuA xTOeQ jLoop FbRJS VsDDe puLAk IlWTY uPokU OSGug wBYl eBjQR NZiwR \" data-testid=\"prism-card\">\n<div class=\"QGHKv iVcn avodi rEPuv ICwhc ibBnq \">\n<div class=\"VZTD HNQqj QXDKT QBuju SHKi nCIGi NxHUa sJErG nJjCu dlVQH \" data-testid=\"prism-meta\">\n<div class=\"CJAFL gDeX \">\n<h3 id=\"MOREDCplanecrashmarkheadline\" class=\"PFoxV eBpQD rcQBv bQtjQ lQUdN GpQCA mAkiF FvMyr WvoqU \">MORE: DC plane crash marks first major commercial crash in US since Buffalo crash in 2009<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"MOREDCplanecrashmarkindicators\" class=\"NwMid ExxYR tyAg WZxmx dWIDw ZxQhU \"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"XQpSH zzkIM UtCfs Ufjyt \" data-testid=\"prism-divider\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The collision involved American Airlines Flight 5342, the airline said. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \"><\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,&#8221; the airline said. &#8220;We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary information indicates that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to the airport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">A multi-agency search-and-rescue operation is underway, authorities said. About 300 responders were on the scene as of late Wednesday night, according to D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The operation will continue overnight as divers and boats are searching the dark, frigid waters of the Potomac River.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Officials have not provided an update on whether anyone had been pulled from the water or taken to the hospital but three emergency care providers in the Washington, D.C. region have confirmed with ABC News that they have not yet received any patients from the crash.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \"><\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;At this time, we have not received any patients,&#8221; VHC Health, formerly the Virginia Hospital Center, said in a statement at midnight on Wednesday. &#8220;The crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a sad and shocking tragedy and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this incident. We are working directly with the Arlington and Metropolitan Police Department, Fire, and EMS teams and all authorities,&#8221; VHC Health said, adding, &#8220;VHC Health is prepared to assist and support first responders as these agencies continue their emergency response.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The water temperature in the Potomac River is approximately 36 degrees, and the air temperature at the time of the crash was 50 degrees with winds gusting 25 to 30 mph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">This is the first major commercial airplane crash in the United States since\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/WN\/Travel\/ntsb-pilot-error-blame-colgan-air-flight-3407\/story?id=9726879\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\">the Colgan Air crash<\/a>\u00a0near Buffalo, New York, in 2009.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/39077725-8de5-4b9c-88d2-d1cae4f20204\/dc-plane-24-epa-gmh-250129_1738214165218_hpMain.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/39077725-8de5-4b9c-88d2-d1cae4f20204\/dc-plane-24-epa-gmh-250129_1738214165218_hpMain.jpg?w=750 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/39077725-8de5-4b9c-88d2-d1cae4f20204\/dc-plane-24-epa-gmh-250129_1738214165218_hpMain.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/39077725-8de5-4b9c-88d2-d1cae4f20204\/dc-plane-24-epa-gmh-250129_1738214165218_hpMain.jpg?w=1500 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/39077725-8de5-4b9c-88d2-d1cae4f20204\/dc-plane-24-epa-gmh-250129_1738214165218_hpMain.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-testid=\"prism-image\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<div class=\"HXPPJ barbu yKsXL IzgMt VcHIt uhSzI YGNMU cRAsZ xqMcl QtRul \"><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Rescue teams stage to help search the Potomac River after a commercial airplane reportedly collided with a military helicopter on approach to Ron&#8230;<\/span><button class=\"rmXUm rGbDS UbGlr fKEHm NQBmG kGyAC LDLer mrzbZ RzTJw hGXEb YKYa-d lqtkC HkWF HfYhe UoVV WtEci dSKvB seFhp NqeUA UzzHi YusgD gYkWv jIRH mLASH FSaCd VTMUD kzvcA VTlC KgrzM nMMea bNYiy qEZfD hukhf GZviH aMUVL VwboG LpXnG eFRhh fzuTW hUXYk TsdbM TkDoS NJHde eWOet BZZZx \" type=\"button\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Show More about Image Caption\" data-testid=\"truncate-button\">Show more<\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"qinlA IpWvx oqZz tylGM lyWxS nWcVF UhTug PPcLh \"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Shawn Thew\/EPA-EFE\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">President Donald Trump released a statement following the crash Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,&#8221; he wrote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO GbsKS pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW AMhAA daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc ebfE nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY VvTxJ iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM hbvnu OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD iShaE ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV kRoBe oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \"><\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The president followed up with a post on Truth Social that seemed to be probing for further answers regarding the cause of the crash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Why didn\u2019t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane,&#8221; he wrote in the post, adding, &#8220;This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Army and Defense Department would &#8220;immediately&#8221; launch an investigation into the collision.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families. Investigation launched immediately by Army\u00a0&amp; DoD,&#8221; Hegseth wrote on X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said &#8220;extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts&#8221; following the crash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;First responders from across Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland mobilized quickly,&#8221; he said on X. &#8220;I ask everyone to pray for the passengers, crews, their families, and brave first responders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Wichita Mayor Lily Wu discussed the reality of people from her community being on the flight &#8212; noting that the first direct flight from Wichita to the nation&#8217;s capital, which began daily service on Jan. 8, 2024, coincided with her first day in office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Our entire community right now is praying, hoping for better news,&#8221; Wu told ABC News. &#8220;But as a community, the entire city of Wichita, the city council members and the staff all throughout the city of Wichita are hoping that we have better news to come out of this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Meanwhile, in somber remarks at a news conference early Thursday morning, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall suggested he feared the passengers and crew aboard a regional American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter that collided were lost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;When one person dies, it&#8217;s a tragedy,&#8221; Marshall said. &#8220;But when many, many, many people die, it&#8217;s an unbearable sorrow \u2026 It&#8217;s really hard when you lose, you know, probably over 60 Kansans, simultaneously.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Speaking of the pilots, flight attendants and military personnel, Marshall added, &#8220;All those lives are so valuable, and it is such a tragedy that we lost them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Officials have not publicly confirmed any fatalities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">However, U.S. Figure Skating issued a statement saying that &#8220;several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342,&#8221; according to the statement obtained by ABC News.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;U.S. Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,&#8221; the statement said. &#8220;We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims\u2019 families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Russian media also reported that two Russian figure skaters were on board the plane and expressed condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the plane crash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">\u201cUnfortunately, we see that these sad information is being confirmed,&#8221; Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday morning. &#8220;There were other of our fellow citizens there. Bad news from Washington today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Earlier, several Russian state media outlets were reporting that Russian world figure skating champions in pairs (1994) Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the plane, though U.S. authorities have not confirmed these reports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur Rnci \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/3489de60-056c-421a-86ba-444ecbaa6e43\/dc-plane-4-rt-gmh-250129_1738207657109_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/3489de60-056c-421a-86ba-444ecbaa6e43\/dc-plane-4-rt-gmh-250129_1738207657109_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=750 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/3489de60-056c-421a-86ba-444ecbaa6e43\/dc-plane-4-rt-gmh-250129_1738207657109_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/3489de60-056c-421a-86ba-444ecbaa6e43\/dc-plane-4-rt-gmh-250129_1738207657109_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1500 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hsDdd vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/3489de60-056c-421a-86ba-444ecbaa6e43\/dc-plane-4-rt-gmh-250129_1738207657109_hpMain_16x9.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-testid=\"prism-image\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<div class=\"HXPPJ barbu yKsXL IzgMt VcHIt uhSzI YGNMU cRAsZ xqMcl QtRul \"><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Emergency services operate at Gravelly Point, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington&#8230;<\/span><button class=\"rmXUm rGbDS UbGlr fKEHm NQBmG kGyAC LDLer mrzbZ RzTJw hGXEb YKYa-d lqtkC HkWF HfYhe UoVV WtEci dSKvB seFhp NqeUA UzzHi YusgD gYkWv jIRH mLASH FSaCd VTMUD kzvcA VTlC KgrzM nMMea bNYiy qEZfD hukhf GZviH aMUVL VwboG LpXnG eFRhh fzuTW hUXYk TsdbM TkDoS NJHde eWOet BZZZx \" type=\"button\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-label=\"Show More about Image Caption\" data-testid=\"truncate-button\">Show more<\/button><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"qinlA IpWvx oqZz tylGM lyWxS nWcVF UhTug PPcLh \"><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Elizabeth Frantz\/Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">At least 19 aircraft that were in the air and due to land at Reagan National Airport had to be diverted after the mid-air collision, according to Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The diverted flights landed at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation and the FBI Washington Field Office said in a statement that it&#8217;s sending its National Capital Response Squad &#8220;in support of our law enforcement and public safety partners.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be closed until 11 a.m. Thursday, officials confirmed first thing in the morning, rather than the original estimated reopening time of 5 a.m. Friday,<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \"><em class=\" \">This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>___<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/reagan-national-airport-closed-due-aircraft-emergency\/story?id=118246693\">https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/US\/reagan-national-airport-closed-due-aircraft-emergency\/story?id=118246693<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230;U.S. Intelligence Community in collusion with the U.S. Armed Forces.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14249\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}