A nightmare collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter rocked the skies near Reagan Washington National Airport late Wednesday. Both aircraft plunged into the icy Potomac River, sparking a frantic search-and-rescue mission involving divers and first responders. ❄️🚑
Officials confirmed 64 people were aboard the passenger plane, while three soldiers occupied the helicopter. At least 18 bodies have been recovered, according to CBS News. Divers battled frigid conditions as snow lined the riverbanks—a chilling scene captured in live news feeds. 🌊📹
U.S. President Donald Trump called it a 'terrible accident' in a statement, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Pentagon involvement via social media. 💻🇺🇸 American Airlines' CEO released a heartfelt video message expressing 'deep sorrow' for victims' families.
Key questions remain: How did two aircraft collide in controlled airspace? Authorities haven’t disclosed whether distress signals were sent. The Black Hawk helicopter was part of a nighttime training exercise from Virginia’s Fort Belvoir—raising scrutiny about military-civilian airspace coordination. 🚁🔍
This marks one of D.C.’s deadliest aviation incidents in years. Follow @NewspaperAmigo for live updates as this story develops. 🕵️♂️🚨
