A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C., involving an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The incident took place near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in the grounding of all flights at the airport.
The passenger jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, totaling 64 individuals on board. The collision led to the aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. Rescue teams have recovered at least 28 bodies, and all passengers are feared dead.
The collision occurred around 8:48 p.m., causing significant disruptions at Reagan National Airport. The exact circumstances leading to the collision are still under investigation.
This incident is reminiscent of the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash, where a Boeing 737 collided with the 14th Street Bridge shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport, resulting in 78 fatalities.
Authorities are continuing search and recovery operations in the Potomac River area. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident.