Midair collision near Reagan National Airport claims 28 lives

A midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night has left no apparent survivors. Officials have recovered 28 bodies so far, 27 from the plane and one from the helicopter—as search efforts transition from rescue to recovery.The tragic crash involved American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, which was en route from Wichita to Washington, D.C., carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight with three service members aboard.At a Thursday morning briefing, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly confirmed that all passengers and crew members on both aircraft were presumed dead. Debris from the collision was found as far south as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, about a mile from the crash site.President Donald Trump issued a brief statement on White House letterhead about two hours after the crash, saying, “God Bless their souls,” and thanking first responders. Later, on his Truth Social platform, he speculated about the cause of the crash, pointing to potential failures by the helicopter pilot or air traffic controllers.“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport....