American Airlines Flight 5342 Crash: Shocking Details You Need to Know!

According to a press conference this morning, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly announced that the operation has changed from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. He stated, “At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”

CNN and NBC News reported that 27 bodies had been recovered from the passenger plane, and one from the military helicopter.

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Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy also shared details about the plane’s fuselage, which lies in the Potomac River. He explained, “The fuselage of the American Airlines plane was inverted. It’s been located in three different sections. It’s in about waist-deep water, so that recovery will continue today.” Duffy added that as recovery happens, the NTSB and FAA will work together to gather information and analyze the situation to get the best results.

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Duffy confirmed that both aircraft were following standard flight patterns. “The helicopter was in the standard pattern, and the American Airlines flight was also following a routine landing procedure,” he said.

A terrible mid-air crash over Washington, D.C., has left at least 19 confirmed dead after an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter. Both planes fell into the Potomac River.

American Airlines Flight 5342, which had 60 passengers and four crew members, was nearing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it suddenly lost altitude at about 400 feet. The flight, traveling at around 140 miles per hour, was adjusting its path to land when an air traffic controller warned a nearby military helicopter about the incoming jet. Before the helicopter could respond, the two planes collided.

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The plane’s radio transponder went silent just 2,400 feet from the runway, just above the Potomac. Emergency crews arrived quickly and recovered at least 19 bodies in the hours following the crash.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, but the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating whether human error, equipment malfunction, or poor communication led to the disaster.

There are still questions about whether there are any survivors. Authorities have recovered 19 bodies so far, but the full death toll is still uncertain. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several members of its community were aboard the flight. The athletes, coaches, and their family members had been returning from the National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas. The organization expressed deep sadness over the loss and promised to release more information as it becomes available.

The military helicopter had three soldiers aboard, and it is not yet confirmed if they survived. The helicopter was on a routine training mission from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.

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Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed grief over the tragedy, saying, “When one person dies, it’s a tragedy. When many people die, it’s unbearable sorrow.”

The recovery operations are being made difficult by tough conditions. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief Donnelly explained that the Potomac River is about eight feet deep where the wreckage lies, making underwater searches especially hard. He added, “The water is dark and murky, making it tough for rescuers.”

With freezing temperatures and strong winds complicating the situation, around 300 emergency responders are working to search the river for more victims. All flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been suspended until at least 11:00 AM local time to allow the search efforts to continue.

Eyewitness Jimmy Mazeo, who was in a park, noticed strange lights in the sky. “We saw white flares streak across the sky. At first, we thought they were shooting stars,” he said. It wasn’t until emergency vehicles arrived that he realized the gravity of the situation. “We didn’t think much of it until we saw the fire trucks, police cars, and boats rushing to the river. It was insane.”

Mazeo expressed his shock, saying, “It’s terrible what happened, but it’s crazy that we saw it. I’m praying for everyone involved.”

Investigators from the FAA and NTSB are working to piece together the events leading to the crash. As the search continues, families of the victims are anxiously waiting for updates in what has already become one of the most tragic aviation accidents in recent memory.

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the crash and praised first responders for their efforts. As the investigation unfolds, the nation mourns this heartbreaking tragedy.

Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we wish the best for the emergency services as they continue their work.