No Survivors in Washington Air Disaster
U.S. authorities have confirmed that all passengers died in the midair collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines plane over Washington, D.C. Rescuers found no survivors. Officials stated that the tragedy could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been followed.
What Happened?
- A Bombardier CRJ700 (Flight 5342, PSA Airlines) was approaching Reagan National Airport for landing.
- A Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk military helicopter was on a training flight.
- The helicopter did not change course despite air traffic control warnings and collided with the plane.
- Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
The chief of the D.C. Fire and Rescue Department officially confirmed that all 67 people on board perished.
Who Was on Board?
The crash claimed the lives of:
- 60 passengers and 4 crew members from the plane.
- 3 military personnel aboard the helicopter.
Among the victims were renowned figure skaters and coaches returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, including:
- Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov – 1994 world champions.
- Inna Volyanskaya – 1980 USSR championship bronze medalist.
- 16-year-old skaters Spencer Lane and Jinna Han.
Could the Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
U.S. officials admitted that the disaster could have been avoided:
- The helicopter did not respond to air traffic control’s inquiry about the plane’s position.
- The airspace was overcrowded, but no action was taken to ease congestion.
- The helicopter had an opportunity to change course, but why it didn’t remains under investigation.
What’s Next?
Federal aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the causes of the crash. Stricter regulations for military aircraft operations near civilian airports are expected.
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