Reagan NationalAirport (DCA) will stay closed until Friday at 5 a.m., the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed. The shutdown follows a tragic midair
collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter on Wednesday
night, prompting urgent search operations and safety reviews.
Key Details of
the Collision
Aircrafts
Involved
- Passenger Plane: American Eagle Flight 5342 (operated by
PSA Airlines), traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to DCA with 64
people onboard.
- Military Helicopter: A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
carrying 3 U.S. Army personnel on a training mission.
Timeline of
Events
- 9:00 p.m. (Wednesday): Collision occurred during the plane’s
approach to DCA.
- Immediate shutdown of all
takeoffs/landings at the airport.
- Emergency teams from multiple agencies
rushed to the Potomac River for search and rescue efforts.
Search and
Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency crews are
scouring the freezing Potomac River near Washington, D.C., for
survivors. Dive teams, helicopters, and boats are involved in the operation. A
law enforcement source confirmed fatalities, though exact numbers
remain undisclosed.
Impact on Air
Travel
- Flights Diverted: All inbound/outbound flights rerouted to
Dulles International (IAD) or Baltimore-Washington (BWI) airports.
- Travel Advisory: Passengers advised to check airline
updates before heading to DCA on Friday.
FAA and Airport
Authority Response
The Metropolitan
Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) stated:
“Mutual aid from regional agencies was activated immediately."
The FAA emphasized
that the closure ensures safety protocols are followed during
the investigation.
Investigation
and Next Steps
- National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) and U.S.
Army are leading the probe.
- Focus areas: Weather conditions,
communication logs, and collision avoidance systems.
References
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Airport
closure notice.
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) –
Official incident statement.
- Law enforcement source – Fatality
confirmation.
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