On Wednesday the 29th, a tragic collision occurred when an American Airlines jet crashed into a U.S Army Blackhawk helicopter while preparing for landing near D.C.’s Reagan airport. Both plane and helicopter immediately fell into the Potomac River. The crash still remains under investigation, but it has been confirmed that there were no survivors.
The airplane was carrying sixty-four people, including two teenage champion figure skaters, their mothers, and two coaches from Massachusetts, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Additionally, it was also reported that three soldiers were on the helicopter during a “training flight”.
According to reports, the Blackhawk helicopter was flying way over the 200 feet line and every helicopter is required to be below the 200 feet above sea level. It was also reported that the helicopter may have been at least half a mile off the course it was supposed to be on, along with being outside its flight plan.
As of Sunday, February 8th, fifty-five bodieshaveso far been recovered from the wreckage. Rescue teams continue the search as officials work to understand the cause of this incident.