Rescue teams are working around the clock to search for survivors after a devastating crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342, which went down in the Potomac River on Wednesday night. With 64 people on board, including 60 passengers and 4 crew members, hopes are fading as the cold waters make survival unlikely.
Emergency crews from across the nation have rushed to Washington DC, where the crash occurred just 2,400 feet from the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The water temperature in the river is reported to be a chilling 37°F (3°C), with experts warning that individuals in the water would begin experiencing hypothermia in as little as 15 to 20 minutes.
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According to Daily Mail, NBC Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer confirmed that the water temperature at the time of the crash was 37°F, dropping to as low as 36°F earlier in the day. With wind gusts of up to 25 mph expected throughout the evening, the conditions are proving to be a major obstacle for search teams.
Details of crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash took place around 9 pm EST when Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ-701, collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter while on its final approach. The plane had just departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was nearing the runway when its radio transponder stopped transmitting, signalling the moment of impact.
The crash occurred in one of the most heavily monitored airspaces in the world, less than three miles from the White House. Air traffic controllers had cleared the regional jet to land on Runway 33, but just moments before the impact, they instructed the helicopter, identified as PAT 25, to pass behind the plane. Seconds later, disaster struck.
Rescue operations continue as emergency crews comb the river for any remaining survivors. As of now, at least 18 bodies have been recovered from the frigid waters. Surveillance footage from the Kennedy Center captured the catastrophic moment when the two aircraft collided, with a fireball erupting in the night sky.
Published: 30 Jan 2025, 11:38 am IST
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