Gina Heslop
A tragic plane crash occurred near Washington, D.C., involving a passenger plane and a military helicopter. The accident happened on Wednesday evening, and authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors.
The Mid-Air Collision
At around 9:00 PM, Flight 5342, an American Airlines regional jet operated by PSA Airlines, was on its way to Washington’s Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kansas. As it approached Runway 33, it collided mid-air with a Black Hawk UH-60 military helicopter that was on a training flight from Fort Belvoir.
The passenger jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter had three soldiers on board. The impact was devastating, causing both aircraft to plunge into the Potomac River.
No Survivors Expected
Rescue teams rushed to the scene, but due to freezing temperatures, strong currents, and low visibility, search efforts were extremely difficult. Divers have recovered at least 18 bodies, and officials do not expect to find any survivors. The wreckage of the plane was found seven feet underwater in the river, broken into pieces.
World Champion Skaters Among the Victims
Among the first identified victims were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, a Russian figure skating pair who won the 1994 World Championship. They had relocated to the U.S. years ago and were returning from a national figure skating camp along with other athletes, coaches, and families. Reports suggest that up to 15 skaters may have been on the plane.
U.S. Figure Skating expressed deep sorrow, stating:
“These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
Eyewitness Accounts and Official Reactions
Moments before the crash, air traffic controllers saw a fireball in the sky. One controller said:
“It was out in the middle of the river. I saw an explosion, and then everything disappeared.”
Another pilot, witnessing the accident from a distance, reported seeing flares from the other side of the Potomac River.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Army confirmed that the helicopter was part of a training exercise and that they were working with authorities to investigate the crash.
National Response
American Airlines urged families of passengers to call a dedicated hotline for updates and assistance.
Former President Donald Trump issued a statement:
“May God bless their souls. Thank you to our first responders for their incredible work. I am monitoring the situation closely and will provide more details as they arise.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities, including the FAA and the NTSB, are now investigating the cause of the mid-air collision. The tragedy has shocked the nation, especially the figure skating community, which has lost some of its most talented members.
