A US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines plane carrying 64 people - a subsidiary of American Airlines - on the evening of January 29 local time near Reagan National Airport, Washington D.C., causing both planes to crash into the Potomac River.
The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training flight at the time, according to a statement from Heather Chairez, a spokeswoman for the Joint National Capital Region Force.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, based at Fort Belvoir, is responsible for providing helicopter transport and technical rescue support to the capital region. However, information about the helicopter's departure point before the collision has not been clarified.
The US Border Patrol has deployed all available resources to assist with search and rescue efforts. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agency is “actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist local rescue efforts.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences after the collision: "God bless their souls. Thank you to the rescue forces for their great work."
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also sent prayers to "everyone involved" and pledged to continue to provide updates to the public as more details become available.
