Tragically, a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional flight collided in midair over Washington, D.C., Friday night, sending both planes plummeting into the icy Potomac River.
Hamaad Raza, whose wife was aboard Flight 5342, is among those in grief. Her last communication with him was a text message she sent him just before the collision.
“We will land in 20 minutes.”
His worst fears started to come true when his later mails were ignored.
A Terrible Impact in the Airspace
The incident occurred as the plane approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) at approximately 9:00 PM local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
From Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington, D.C., the American Airlines CRJ-700 aircraft, flown by PSA Airlines, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
At the same time, a U.S. Army chopper was in the air, allegedly carrying three soldiers during a standard training exercise.
Then disaster struck.
Terrifying Video Documents the Impact Moment
Unsettling CCTV footage of the crash scene from an adjacent building has surfaced online. As flaming debris tumbled toward the Potomac River below, a massive fireball burst into the night sky, lighting up the surrounding area.
A large explosion was heard by witnesses, and then there was a scene of panic and fear as the plane and chopper plunged into the icy seas.
Officials have chosen to focus on the ongoing search and rescue efforts rather than reveal the number of casualties in the wake of the catastrophe.
The Critical Search for Survivors
In an attempt to locate survivors, rescue crews are working in harsh conditions and against the clock.
The frigid temperatures, high winds, and drifting ice on the river made the rescue effort extremely challenging, according to John Donnelly, Chief of Fire and Emergency Services in Washington, D.C. Access is the main obstacle because of the winds and ice shards. Operating in these situations is dangerous and difficult,” Donnelly said.
For the search, more than 300 emergency personnel have been dispatched, using advanced sonar technology and inflatable boats. But as time passes, hope for those who are still missing is waning.
The Heartbreaking Last Words of a Husband to His Wife
The past 24 hours have been a terrifying ordeal for Hamaad Raza.
His wife was traveling to Washington, D.C., on Flight 5342. She sent him a last message before the crash:
“We will land in 20 minutes.”
She would never speak to him again after that.
With anguish in his voice, Raza told WUSA9, “I kept texting her, but my messages didn’t get through.” “I realized something was wrong at that point.”
Now, his only hope is that rescuers will find her alive down in the frozen depths.
“I just hope that someone is pulling her out of the river right now,” he said. “I can only hope for that.”
Statement from American Airlines
American Airlines acknowledged the unfortunate loss of Flight 5342 in an official statement following the event.
“The passengers and crew on board the aircraft are our top priority,” the statement said. “We are supporting emergency response operations and coordinating with authorities.”
Family members who would need more information are urged to contact American Airlines by calling their toll-free hotline at 800-679-8215 or by visiting news.aa.com.
President Trump Speaks to the Public
President Donald Trump, who was just sworn in, addressed the country about the national grief and stated that he had been fully briefed on the tragedy.
He said, “May God bless their souls.” “I want to express my appreciation to the courageous first responders who are risking their lives to help with the rescue.”
Families wait in agony as rescue crews fight against the clock to bring them back to their loved ones while the nation mourns.
We are praying and thinking about everyone affected by this terrible incident.
Related Subjects:
About The Author
