At around 21:00 local time, an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a Black Hawk Sikorsky H-60 helicopter near the Potomac River. The helicopter had departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia hours earlier. Both aircrafts crashed into the river, and rescue teams have been working to locate survivors.
The jet carried 60 passengers and 4 crew members; 19 bodies have been recovered so far, along with 3 people from the helicopter. Air traffic control audio, recorded moments before and after the collision, revealed tense exchanges between controllers and pilots.
One controller was heard asking if the helicopter saw the jet, and another pilot confirmed the crash. Despite the challenges of freezing temperatures, poor visibility, and icy water, search efforts continue. DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly stated that while no survivors have been confirmed, rescue operations will be reassessed in the morning.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
