American Airlines plane crash: What aircraft were involved in Washington DC tragedy?
An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the icy Potomac River after a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials have confirmed.
As of Thursday morning, 19 were confirmed as dead, with that number expected to rise as more bodies are found. A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway, with dozens of bodies reportedly being pulled from the water.
The American Airlines jet, operated by PSA Airlines, was attempting to land after a flight from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided with the Army helicopter, which was on a training exercise.
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American Airlines confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the collision.
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What aircraft were involved in the Washington DC plane crash?
Bombardier CRJ700
The Bombardier CRJ700 is a staple of regional commercial aviation and can accommodate around 70 passengers. According to aviation data firm Cirium, approximately 260 of these jets remain in service.
The aircraft involved in the January 29 crash was registered as N530EA and was manufactured in 2010, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. American Airlines confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board at the time of the incident.
While the jet was registered to American Airlines, it was operated by PSA Airlines, the carrier’s wholly-owned subsidiary. Originally developed by Bombardier, the CRJ700 program was sold to a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries subsidiary in 2019. Production of new aircraft ended the following year.
The CRJ700, a regional jet typically used for short to medium-haul flights, is commonly deployed on routes within the perimeter rule of Reagan National Airport, which handles roughly 1,200 flights daily. The rule restricts flights to destinations within 1,300 miles, making the CRJ700 an ideal aircraft for these operations.
American Airlines, which runs a hub at the airport, partners with regional carriers like PSA Airlines to serve these shorter routes. The CRJ700's relatively smaller size also makes it well-suited for Reagan's shorter runways.
These regional jets are often piloted by less experienced crews, as many pilots use regional carriers as stepping stones before moving on to larger aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 with major airlines.
The ill-fated American Airlines Flight 5342 was nearly at capacity. The CRJ700, with a typical configuration of around 70 seats, can hold up to 80 passengers.
The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, at 5.18pm Central Time (11.18pm UK Time(, and was expected to land at Reagan National Airport at 9.03pm Eastern Time (2.03am UK Time). However, the plane lost altitude on its final approach around 8.48pm, according to tracking site FlightAware.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is one of the most widely used and recognisable military helicopters, serving multiple roles for the US military, including air assault, medical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support.
The aircraft involved in the January 29 crash was operating under the call sign PAT25 and had three occupants on board, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a public database tracking aviation accidents - however this number has not yet been officially confirmed.
The UH-60 Black Hawk was assigned to Bravo Company of the 12th Aviation Battalion, which operates out of Davidson Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region media chief Heather Chairez said in a statement.
The US Army said: “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available."
Since its production began in the mid-1970s, more than 5,000 Black Hawk helicopters have been built, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of military aviation.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and the number of fatalities has yet to be confirmed.
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