18 Bodies Recovered from 64 on Passenger Plane and 3 on Helicopter
All-Out Search Underway in 7.3m Deep Water
Former World Champion Russian Couple and Son Were on the Passenger Plane
A tragedy occurred near Washington DC, the capital of the United States, involving a collision and crash between a small passenger plane and a military helicopter. Both aircraft crashed into a nearby river, and although underwater search operations are currently underway late at night, the fate of the total 67 passengers remains unconfirmed.
Rescue workers searching the site of a passenger plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., USA, on the 29th (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News
According to U.S. media outlets including the Associated Press (AP) and The New York Times (NYT), at approximately 8:53 PM local time on the 29th, a passenger plane operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while attempting to land at Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the nearby Potomac River.
American Airlines stated that the passenger plane was carrying 60 passengers and 4 crew members, en route from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC. According to military authorities, the helicopter had 3 soldiers on board, with no high-ranking officials among them.
CBS reported, citing interviews with police dispatched to the accident site, that as of 11:30 PM that day, at least 18 bodies had been recovered, but no survivors had yet been found. Both aircraft are submerged in a river with an average depth of 7.3 meters, and authorities are making every effort to rescue survivors.
John Donnelly, Fire Chief of Washington DC, said, "We do not know if there are any survivors," adding, "The cold weather and strong winds are making rescue operations difficult." About 300 firefighters, police officers, and U.S. military personnel have been dispatched to the scene to conduct large-scale search and rescue operations.
Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC, stated, "Both aircraft are underwater," and added, "We will not be releasing specific details related to the rescue tonight." A military spokesperson said the Black Hawk helicopter collided with the passenger plane during a flight training exercise.
According to the AP, the collision between the passenger plane and the helicopter appears to have occurred during the flight coordination process by air traffic controllers. Although a collision warning was issued to the helicopter while the passenger plane was attempting to land, the accident still happened.
The New York Times (NYT) reported that the passenger plane was carrying the Russian couple Yevgenia Shushkova and Vadim Naumov, who are former champions of the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships. The couple has been living in the United States and working as figure skating coaches. Russian state media mentioned that their son, Maksim Naumov, was also presumed to be on the same passenger plane.
Maksim had competed in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Wichita, Kansas from the 20th to the 26th. It appears that the couple was returning after watching their son's competition when the accident occurred.
The U.S. Figure Skating Association reported that athletes, coaches, and their families affiliated with the association were also on the passenger plane. They had participated in a camp for young skaters held alongside the Kansas Figure Skating Championships and were returning to Washington DC.
President Donald Trump posted on his social media, emphasizing that the plane crash should have been prevented and criticized the control tower for not instructing the helicopter on what to do. Newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the accident as "absolutely tragic."
On the 30th (local time), Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC, briefs at a press conference held at Reagan Airport following the passenger plane crash near the Potomac River on the outskirts of Washington DC. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The area where the accident occurred is known as one of the busiest air routes in the United States. The New York Times pointed out that near the airport, there are frequent near-collisions between aircraft. This accident is expected to prompt a comprehensive investigation into air traffic control systems and aircraft operations.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that multiple agencies are responding immediately and that federal and local law enforcement authorities are cooperating to save lives. Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, expressed deep sorrow in a statement, saying, "We want to express our profound sadness over this incident," and "Today is a difficult day for all of us."
As a result of the accident, all takeoffs and landings at Ronald Reagan Airport have been suspended, and flights scheduled to land there were diverted to nearby Baltimore International Airport. Ronald Reagan Airport is adjacent to important government and military facilities such as the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the Department of Defense, with the Potomac River flowing to the east of the airport.
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