Last night, a tragic mid-air collision occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash resulted in the recovery of at least 18 bodies from the Potomac River, with ongoing search-and-rescue operations to locate more victims.
The jet, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with the helicopter while on approach to the runway.
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both expressed their condolences and assured that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collision. Emergency responders continue to work tirelessly in challenging conditions to recover all victims and provide aid to survivors.
In response to the disaster, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom released a heartfelt video statement expressing his deep sorrow and condolences to the families and victims of the crash.
"First and most importantly, I'd like to express our deep sorrow about these events," Isom said, visibly emotional.
He assured that the airline is fully cooperating with authorities and providing all necessary support to the families affected. Isom also shared a hotline number for people with loved ones on board to call for information and assistance. The CEO's message was widely shared on social media, drawing praise for his empathy and transparency during this difficult time.
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