Man shares haunting final text from wife aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 just before crash

Hamaad Raza, whose wife was on American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided with a US military helicopter, shared the last text message she sent him before the crash.

The plane was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., when it crashed around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Raza told WUSA9 that his wife had texted him, “Landing in 20 minutes.” When his replies didn’t go through, he started to worry.

She often traveled between Wichita and Washington for work, but Raza said she had always been afraid of flying and never felt comfortable on a plane.

“I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now,” he said in desperation.

The flight had 60 passengers and four crew members on board when it crashed into the icy Potomac River. The military helicopter involved in the collision carried three soldiers.

Reports later confirmed that members of the U.S. Figure Skating team were also among the passengers.

“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement.

Rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene. John Donnelly, Washington, D.C.’s fire and emergency services chief, said around 300 rescuers in rubber boats were sent to search for survivors.

“The challenge is access,” Donnelly explained. “There is wind, pieces of ice in the water. It is dangerous and hard to work in.”

After hours of searching, Donnelly gave an update: “We are now switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we do not believe there are any survivors.”

Following the crash, American Airlines released a statement confirming the incident.

“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”

@metrouk

A man waiting for his wife at Reagan National Airport revealed the final text she sent to him before her flight collided with a military helicopter. 64 people were on the passenger plane and three soldiers inside the helicopter. A desperate search operation involving hundreds of first responders is now focused on the nearby Potomac River after both aircraft plunged into the freezing water. #fyp#americanairlines#helicopter#blackhawkhelicopter#breakingnews#newsupdate#airport#reagannationalairport#usnews#us#washington

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President Donald Trump, who had taken office just days earlier, said he was closely monitoring the situation.

“May God bless their souls,” he said, thanking first responders for their efforts.

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