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Latest – All Passengers Feared Dead After American Eagle Plane and Army Helicopter Collide in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. – All passengers are feared dead after an American Eagle plane and an Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River on Wednesday evening. Officials have confirmed that 27 bodies have been recovered from the plane and one from the helicopter as rescue efforts transition into a recovery mission.

D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly addressed the media, stating that the crash alert was sounded at 8:48 p.m. last night.

RELATED MORE : A passenger jet with 64 people on board collides with an Army helicopter while landing at Reagan Airport near Washington, D.C.

First responders faced extremely frigid conditions, heavy wind, and ice-covered waters while conducting search and rescue operations through the night.

“We don’t believe there are any survivors,” Donnelly said, emphasizing the harsh conditions. He also expressed gratitude to the numerous agencies that assisted in the operation.

Army Unit Pauses Operations

The Army unit involved in the crash, the 12th Aviation Battalion based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has been placed on an operational pause, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters. Helicopters from the battalion will be grounded until further notice.

Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River on Thursday. Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the helicopter crew members were from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, and were conducting an annual proficiency training flight when the collision occurred.

Officials Express Condolences

Government officials have expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and praised first responders for their tireless efforts.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) posted on X:
“This plane crash is devastating. My heart is with the families who lost loved ones. I’m grateful for the emergency responders’ tireless efforts through the night.”

Representative Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) said:
“My heart goes out to victims and families affected by last night’s horrific plane and helicopter crash at Reagan National Airport. We are all keeping them close in our prayers.”

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) added:
“I am shocked and heartbroken by the tragic plane crash at National Airport in D.C. last night. My heart is with the victims and their loved ones.”

Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) stated:
“Devastated by the news of the plane crash in Washington, D.C. last night. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful for the first responders who have been working tirelessly at the scene.”

President Trump to Address the Nation

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump will address the deadly plane collision in a press briefing at 11 a.m. ET in the James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House.

Historical Perspective: First Fatal U.S. Commercial Aircraft Disaster in Years

This midair collision marks the first fatal disaster involving a U.S. commercial aircraft in years. The last major U.S. commercial airline disaster occurred 16 years ago, when a Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane crashed into a house near Buffalo, New York, on Feb. 12, 2009, killing all 49 people onboard and one person on the ground.

A view of the scene after a regional plane collided in midair with a military helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington DC. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

In 2001, an American Airlines flight crashed in New York, killing all 260 passengers, making it the deadliest single-aircraft accident in U.S. history. The tragedy also evokes memories of the 1982 Air Florida crash, which claimed 78 lives after plunging into the Potomac River.

Black Boxes Yet to Be Found

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) source confirmed that no black boxes have been recovered from the crash site yet. The flight data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, are critical in determining the cause of the disaster.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash as recovery efforts persist.


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