Air crash in Washington: No survivors after collision over the Potomac

• Avoidable accident leaves no survivors.
• 28 bodies recovered from the river.
• Ongoing investigation to the cause of air crash in Washington.

The head of the Washington Fire Department, John Donnelly, reported Thursday that there are no survivors of the tragic accident that occurred on Wednesday night, in which a military helicopter Black Hawk collided with a commercial plane Bombardier Crj700.

Both vehicles fell to the Potomac River, leaving 64 people on board, of which 28 have been recovered lifeless.

According to Donnelly, the authorities have gone from a rescue operation to a recovery of bodies, highlighting the difficult working conditions due to extreme cold and ice in the waters of the river.

The helicopter, with three military on board, and the American Eagle plane, which transported 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed while the plane approached Ronald Reagan airport in Washington.

Air crash in Washington: Challenges in the recovery and search for survivors

The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, described the accident as «avoidable», although the exact causes have not yet been determined.

The rescue teams, which worked during the night, have found 27 bodies of the plane and one of the helicopter.

Water conditions, just 4 ° C, complicated recovery work, limiting the possibility of finding survivors.

Donnelly stressed that rescuers’ efforts were exceptional, but also recognized the difficulty of the situation, with strong winds and ice in the water.

The mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, said the operations will be continued as long as necessary.

The tragedy, the most serious in the United States in almost 24 years, left the relatives of devastated victims.

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According to the US Artistic Skating Federation, several passengers were skaters and coaches returning from a championship in Wichita, Kansas.

Regarding the investigations, the National Transport Security Board (NTSB) has initiated the analysis of the plane’s remains to clarify the causes of the accident.

Although the weather conditions were ideal the night of the accident, the authorities continue to investigate what could have failed in the coordination between the plane and the helicopter.

The testimony of a witness, Ari Schulman, describes the collision as a «sparks» that preceded the fall of the plane.

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The impact was so fast that some witnesses only saw the plane lean before being reached by the sparks.

From the incident, political figures, such as the senators of Kansas Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, have expressed their solidarity with the affected families, asking for sentences for the victims.

President Donald Trump and the Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, also offered their condolences, ensuring that all the necessary resources would be deployed for the recovery and investigation of the accident.

Despite the rescue efforts, the low temperatures of the Potomac River have an additional threat, since ice water can cause hypothermia quickly.

The probability of survival in these conditions is minimal, which makes waiting for answers and the recovery of the remains even more distressing.

This accident has left a mark on the affected communities, particularly in Wichita, Kansas, where American Eagle’s flight left.

The tragedy becomes a reminder of the fragility of life and the need to improve air safety.

Source: EFE / Diario Las Americas.

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