CEO of American Airways Robert Isom addresses the media, after American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter whereas approaching Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport and crashed into Potomac River, in Washington on Jan. 30, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
American Airways CEO Robert Isom stated Thursday morning that the regional jet that collided with a Black Hawk army helicopter close to Washington, D.C’s Reagan Nationwide Airport on Wednesday evening was on a typical flight path.
The collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and the helicopter occurred at about 9 p.m. Wednesday. Officers don’t look forward to finding any survivors.
“Right now, we do not know why the army plane got here into the trail of the PSA plane,” Isom stated at a Thursday morning press convention.
PSA Airways is an American Airways subsidiary and considered one of its regional carriers. American Eagle is how American Airways manufacturers its regional flights.
“It isn’t normal to have plane collide. I will be clear on that,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on the press convention. “However previous to the collision, the flight paths that have been being flown from the army and from American, that was common for what occurs within the D.C. airspace.”
Isom added that the airline has activated its care staff to help in restoration efforts.
“We’re completely heartbroken for the household and family members of the passengers and crew members and likewise for people who have been on the army plane. Our focus proper now could be doing every little thing that we will to help all of these concerned and likewise the PSA Airways staff,” he stated.
Graphic displaying an aerial view of Washington, D.C., with the trajectories and altitudes of a army helicopter and a passenger jet that collided midair on Jan. 29, 2025.
Valentin Rakovskychristophe Thalabot | Afp Infographics | Getty Photographs
The business jet was flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport and was moments away from touchdown on the airport runway. Each autos crashed into the Potomac River.
Isom urged folks to name American’s designated helpline at 1-800-679-8215 to seek out info on their family members.
Isom, who traveled to Washington on Wednesday evening, stated American’s “go staff” has additionally been deployed to Washington to supply sources for passengers’ and crew members’ households and family members. Sixty-four folks have been aboard the flight, together with 60 passengers and 4 crew members.
Passengers included American and Russian elite determine skaters, their coaches and relations. U.S. Determine Skating stated in an announcement that the skaters have been getting back from a coaching camp in Wichita.
Isom stated American is working with native, state and federal authorities on the restoration efforts and that PSA Airways is cooperating with the Nationwide Transportation Security Board’s investigation.
“I do know that there are various questions at this early stage that I simply will not be capable of reply, however we’ll present extra info because it comes,” Isom stated.