A passenger jet collided with a helicopter whereas touchdown at Ronald Reagan Nationwide Airport close to Washington in the US. As per reviews, the incident led to a serious aviation emergency. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and said that an investigation is underway. American Airways flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan Nationwide at an altitude of about 400 ft and a velocity of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a speedy lack of altitude over the Potomac River, in response to information from its radio transponder.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated the midair collision occurred round 9 pm (EST) when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, crashed right into a army Blackhawk helicopter whereas on strategy to an airport runway. In audio from the air visitors management tower across the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you’ve the CRJ in sight,” in reference to the passenger plane, as per the Related Press. In line with a US defence official, the helicopter was based mostly at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
Emergency groups at spot
There was no speedy data on casualties, however the affect led to a whole suspension of all takeoffs and landings on the airport. Emergency response groups have been deployed to evaluate the state of affairs and make sure the security of passengers.
US Vice President reacts
In the meantime, US Vice President JD Vance has reacted to the incident, stating the state of affairs is being monitored. “Please say a prayer for everybody concerned within the mid-air collision close to Reagan Airport this night. We’re monitoring the state of affairs, however for now let’s hope for one of the best,” he posted on X.
How the collision occurred?
As per the knowledge, the Federal Aviation Administration and Nationwide Transportation Security Board have been tasked to analyze the incident. The crash is claimed to have occurred in among the most tightly managed and monitored airspace on the earth, simply over 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) south of the White Home and the Capitol. A couple of minutes earlier than touchdown, air visitors controllers requested the coming industrial jet if it might land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan Nationwide Airport and the pilots replied in affirmative. Controllers then cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 33. Flight monitoring websites confirmed the aircraft alter its strategy to and on the new runway.
(With AP inputs)