nypost.com
It's still not known and may not be for a while, but I was hoping the news about some survivors was accurate ?
American Airlines jet crashes in Washington DC after midair collision
The American Airlines passenger jet crashed into a military helicopter while attempting to land at Reagan National Airport in Washington on Wednesday night.www.dailymail.co.uk
At this time it looks like a terrible accident !
From the video clip at the link, it looks like the chopper heads straight at the plane without attempting to rise higher, or lose altitude and go under to avoid the plane, but possible mechanical failure and the heli. was unable to change course.
They(helicopter pilot) must have seen the plane with both lights on and seemingly in working order.
Was it mechanical malfunction or a medical emergency ?
It looked imo like the plane was on the right course for landing and had (if that's what it's called) the 'right of way' in that space ?
But the heli. wouldn't be there without proper clearance, so...
Also from above link :
An FAA statement said: 'A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.
'PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the i (nvestigation.'
So saddened for the anxious families waiting for news right now.
Awful.
www.nbcwashington.com
As it was landing, everyone would have their seatbelts on.
www.nbcwashington.com
20m ago / 11:12 PM EST
Tammy Duckworth describes 'pretty good visibility' inside Black Hawk
David K. Li
The Black Hawk helicopter isn't equipped with an alert system like a commercial airliner would be — but it does have superior visibility that could have helped a crew see an oncoming threat, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
Windows above, below and to both sides of the crew give Black Hawk pilots near-panoramic visibility that's far superior to that of a big jet, Duckworth said on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell."
"So you can actually have pretty good visibility. So it is quite surprising that you can have this happening," said Duckworth, an Army veteran and former Black Hawk pilot.
She said it's far too early to draw any conclusions.
“This airspace is very, very, very busy, and we’re praying ... that there are more survivors,” she said.'
Live updates: American Eagle jet crashes into Potomac River after collision with Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport
The latest news and live updates on the plane crash into the Potomac River.www.nbcnews.com
Reported 60 onboard 4 crew. DC5
Not so to it having been a "training flight' says the Army.
www.nbcwashington.com
Training flights are routine.Not so to it having been a "training flight' says the Army.
Stay tuned.
12m ago / 11:38 PM EST
Helicopter was on routine flight, officials say
Courtney Kube
The helicopter was on a routine flight, according to a defense official and an Army official.
That settles that, thanks!
I agree. Awful for the families, giving them a rollercoaster of dashed hopes. Instead of saying 'looking for survivors', some reports worded it as 'doing all we can to locate and bring survivors to shore' or such like, as if survivors existed to begin with. Jmo
Pilots need a certain number of flight hours (night training is differentiated from daytime), so they fly regularly to keep up with their training qualifications.
