The U.S. very likely just suffered its deadliest commercial aviation accident since November 2001 on Wednesday night when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It’s feared that all 64 people aboard the flight and three crewmembers on the helicopter are dead, according to Reuters.
American Airlines Flight 5342 was traveling from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and was on final approach into Reagan Airport. Reuters adds that crew in the helicopter had a visual on the airplane and were instructed by air traffic control to pass behind the aircraft. The accident occurred just before 9 p.m. and flights have been grounded at Reagan Airport since. The airport will resume flight operations at 11 a.m. ET, it said on X. That said, FlightAware reports that 273 flights from Reagan Airport have been canceled today. Prior to any travels, check with your airline to see if your flight is still planned for today.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a statement Wednesday night, “First, and most importantly, I’d like to express our deep sorrow about these events. This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crewmembers, partners [and] first responders, along with their families and loved ones.”
American Airlines also created a helpline for anyone who believes they may have had family or friends aboard the aircraft. Those people can all toll-free at 800-679-8215.
With all 67 people involved in the accident feared dead at this time, this becomes the worst commercial aviation accident since November 12, 2001 when American Airlines Flight 587 lost its vertical stabilizer just after takeoff and crashed into a neighborhood in Queens, NY, killing 265 people (including five on the ground).
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