A deadly plane crash has killed dozens at Reagan National Airport. A Blackhawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines plane as it was approaching the airport. The two aircraft collided midair. Officials also confirmed that there are no expected survivors.
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According to the Army, the Blackhawk helicopter was performing a training mission in the area when it collided with the airplane.
"While performing a training mission a United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 last night at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate," Ron McLendon II, the Deputy Director of Joint Task Force-National Capital Region/United States Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs, told Fox News.
Blackhawk Helicopter Investigation
"The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation," he added. "We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available."
Following the deadly plane crash, CEO Robert Isom confirmed that an American Airlines flight crashed into the Blackhawk helicopter. He said at this point there's a lot of questions on exactly how the crash happened. The Army has garnered some backlash online for conducting a Blackhawk training exercise near the airport.
"Flight 5342 was under the command of 4 crew members and carried 60 passengers for a total of 64 people on board. We are actively working with local state and federal authorities on emergency response, efforts and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist our passengers and their families," said Isom.
"We're cooperating fully with the national transportation safety board in its investigation and will continue to provide all the information we can. Our cooperation is without pause, and we want to learn everything we can about today's events. That work will take time, but anything we can do now, we're doing and right now, that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families, members of our go team will be on their way to Washington D. C, and I'll be heading there shortly as well," he added.
