Per this morning’s press conference, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly has told reporters: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.
“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident.”
Per CNN and NBC News, it has also been reported that twenty-seven bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one had been recovered from the military helicopter.
ORGINAL:A harrowing air traffic control (ATC) recording has shed light on the moments before the American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter.
A massive search operation is underway after American Airlines Flight No. 5342, a regional jetliner, collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC.
The impact sent both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River at around 9PM local time.
The passenger plane – which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members – was moments from landing and the military helicopter – which had three soldiers on board – had reportedly been on a training flight.
Currently, around 300 responders are searching the river, with helicopters and inflatable boats also aiding the rescue operation.
According to CNN, there are confirmed fatalities but a number is yet to be confirmed. In addition to this, another official revealed that at least 19 bodies had been recovered from the river, which contained three debris fields, per CBS News.
In the aftermath of the horrific crash, a chilling Air Traffic Control (ATC) recording has surfaced online.
The audio, which was from around the time of the crash, captured the tense communication between controllers and the aircraft.
In the nearly 90-second recording, an air traffic controller is heard asking the helicopter crew: “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Moments later, the controller instructs: “Pat 2-5, pass behind the CRJ.” What follows is an audible gasp – the moment of impact, CNN reported.
Listen to the audio below:ATC immediately relayed the incident to another pilot, issuing a chilling warning: “I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, but there was a collision on the approach end of 3-3. We are going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future if you want to go back to the gate.”
The controller continued: “Highly suggest you guys coordinate with the company. Let me know what you want to do.”
A pilot who witnessed the crash firsthand confirmed what he saw, telling an air traffic controller: “Yeah, we were on short final and we saw flares from the opposite side of the Potomac.”
Per NBC News, another controller described the horrifying aftermath: “It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball, and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river.”
A third controller solemnly added: “Apparently both aircraft involved are in the river, a search and rescue will be ongoing.”
Rescue teams, including helicopters, boats, and police units, immediately launched a desperate search for survivors in the freezing waters.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance had been briefed on the situation.
In a statement, Trump thanked first responders for their “incredible work” and said he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” adding: “May God Bless their souls.”
Vance echoed the sentiment, writing on X: “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best.”
An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is currently underway.
