DC Fire: “No survivors” as all 67 Lives are Believed to be Lost

At least 40 bodies have been recovered from the crash site according to a law enforcement source involved with the recovery efforts. (Jen Theodore/Unsplash)

The National Safety Board intends to file a preliminary report within 30 days.

Article by Dean Millard, Senior White House Correspondent

ARLINGTON, Va. - On Thursday, D.C. Fire Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. shared the emergency response to the American Airlines regional jet collision with an Army Blackhawk near Reagan Washington National Airport.  

This was the first major U.S. commercial crash in almost 16 years. The last major American Airlines crash occurred in November 2001.  

The response included First Aid, Metropolitan Washington Airports, Authorities, Fire Department, the District of Columbia Fire Department, The Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Park Police.  

The crash occurred “in a spot that’s relatively close to our fire boat pier and harbor patrol pier,” Donnelly said.  

The first respondents arrived at the scene of the accident at 8:58 pm. After finding the aircraft in the water, they began their rescue operations.  

There are currently 300 responders continuing rescue operations in the Potomac River. These responders include police and fire boats from throughout the region.  

The respondents are all operating under unified command in accordance with the National Capital Region Mutual Aid Agreement of Governments. State police helicopters from Maryland and the Coast Guard have been requested.  

Chief Donnelly called the operation “highly complex” and said the conditions are “extremely rough for the responders.” He continued by explaining the cold and windy conditions at the site of the wreckage. Rescue crews have also encountered significant debris and jet fuel.  

Tiffany Green, Fire Chief of Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue, said she had not seen a response to an incident like this since the 9/11 terror attack. Her department’s initial response included one airboat, one rescue boat, and 12 technical rescue personnel. 

This evening, investigators and authorities at the site of the collision recovered the flight data recorders and cockpit for the aircrafts involved. The recorders “will be analyzed at the NTSB lab, which is located about a mile from the crash site,” CBS News reports.  

The bodies of all three soldiers who were on the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter were recovered earlier this afternoon. Officials said the remains of the soldiers will be at Dover Air Force Base’s Mortuary Affairs Operations.  

There were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard American Airlines flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines. PSA Airlines and American Eagle are subsidiaries of American Airlines. 

There are no reports of any survivors after the collision. Donnelly said he is confident that the remains of all victims will be found after an extensive search. The “salvage operations” moving forward will include lifting out and collecting wreckage.  

Divers have recovered luggage and other items from the scene. Dive operations were temporarily suspended this evening due to dangerous conditions caused by fuselage. 

President Donald Trump’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response deployed a disaster medical team this evening.  

At least 40 bodies have been recovered from the crash site according to a law enforcement source involved with the recovery efforts. The accident victims are continuing to be identified as the investigation and rescue operations continue.

This is a developing breaking news story. Additional updates will be posted as more information is released. American Airlines has asked, “If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”