A Tragic Midair Collision: My Inside Look at the Disaster Rocking Washington

American Airlines Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas, with 64 people on board, heading to Reagan National Airport. The flight was expected to land around 9 p.m. However, just before 9 p.m., authorities began receiving calls about a possible aircraft crash near the Potomac River. At the same time, a Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission in the area, with the 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. These soldiers are trained for rapid transport and emergency operations, but their skills didn’t help prevent the accident.

Investigators Probe Deadly Midair Collision Near Washington, D.C. -  NewsLooks

The collision was caught on camera. Air traffic control recordings show that the helicopter pilot was instructed to avoid the incoming jet and acknowledged the command. But moments later, the control tower heard the impact, followed by the sound of a fiery collision. One bystander, Ari Schulman, was driving when he saw the plane tilt sharply before sparks lit the sky. Then, everything went dark.

A closer look into the final moments before the midair collision in  Washington DC

The crash led to Reagan National Airport shutting down. Nineteen flights were diverted to Dulles International Airport. Authorities confirmed that both the plane and the helicopter had fallen into the Potomac River. Families waited anxiously for news, while American Airlines set up a support center to provide counseling. One man, Hamaad Raza, shared his worry as he lost contact with his wife just before the crash.

What we know about the midair crash near Washington, D.C.

Over 300 first responders worked in freezing conditions to search the river for survivors. The water temperature was around 35°F, making the rescue even more dangerous, with hypothermia a real concern. Rescue crews had to battle the cold, fast-moving water, and ice to find anyone who might have survived the crash.

Recovery effort underway after deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C.

This crash marks the first major U.S. commercial aviation disaster since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 went down. As investigators from the NTSB look into the cause, many are left wondering whether it was human error, mechanical failure, or something else. For the families of those on board, the priority is finding out what happened. Back in Wichita, a community prayer vigil is set for January 30 to offer support to those affected.

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