Last night near Washington, D.C., a military helicopter collided with a passenger plane, likely resulting in the deaths of all on board. The rescue mission has shifted to recovery efforts, according to the fire chief at a press conference.
The crash involved a Black Hawk helicopter carrying three military personnel and an aircraft with 60 passengers and four crew members. Rescue teams have recovered 28 bodies from the icy Potomac River.
American media reported that one of the black boxes from the American Airlines-related aircraft has been retrieved, which may provide insights into the crash’s cause. The plane was en route from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C., carrying many figure skaters returning from a training camp.
The U.S. Figure Skating Association expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The collision with the U.S. Army’s Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which was on a training flight, occurred around 9:00 p.m.
local time. Surveillance footage captured the moment of impact.
Source: NOS