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No survivors expected after plane and helicopter crash over Washington DC river, officials say

From BBC

Summary

Live Reporting

Edited by Barbara Tasch and Jenna Moon in London, with Adam Durbin and Bernd Debusmann Jr reporting from Washington DC

Key details to know about the deadly mid-air collisionpublished at 08:4508:45

We heard a little earlier from local officials in Washington DC after the US suffered its first major commercial air crash in nearly 16 years.

Here’s the latest information you need to know:

  • No survivors are expected after an American Airlines flight collided in with a Black Hawk helicopter in Washington DC last night and crashed into the Potomac River, officials say
  • The jet came from Wichita, Kansas and had 60 passengers and four crew members onboard. The military helicopter was carrying three soldiers 
  • Authorities say 27 bodies from the plane have been recovered so far alongside one from the helicopter
  • US transport secretary Sean Duffy has told the media that he thinks the crash was preventable and that there was no breakdown in communication between the plane and helicopter
  • The control tower sounded an alert at 20:48 local time (01:48 GMT), to which about 300 rescue workers responded, officials say
  • Away from the press conference, rescuers are continuing to search the wreckage and have been facing “very tough conditions”

Aftermath of crash seen in neighbouring town

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

I’m currently in Alexandria, Virginia – just south of the airport down the Potomac River.

On a normal day, this would be a quiet place. This morning, however, is loud. Helicopters have been flying back and forth along this stretch of river, and several police patrol points are bobbing nearby.

In the distance, I can see at least a dozen sets of red and blue police lights flickering closer to the sight of the crash.

Helicopter in sky

Crash could renew questions about congestion at airportpublished at 08:2708:27

Jonathan Josephs
BBC business reporter

It’s likely this crash will renew questions about safety in the US aviation industry.

Last year the US government approved 10 new flight slots for Reagan National Airport despite opposition from some local politicians over congestion concerns after some near misses.

Reports of the conversations between air traffic controllers and the aircraft suggest that the controllers were alert to the dangers as this accident was unfolding.

Nonetheless there has been a shortage of air traffic controllers in the US in recent years and last year Congress authorized the regulator, the FAA, to recruit more.

That comes after the FAA said it hired the most in nearly a decade last year to address a shortage of around 3,000 personnel.

It’s an issue that the boss of United Airlines Scott Kirby told NPR last month was “the biggest opportunity to make air travel better for customers in the United States” by reducing delays.

    For much more on this story and all latest news on this go to BBC WORLD NEWS

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