The deadly midair collision involving an airplane and a military helicopter on Wednesday night appears to have been caught on camera.
Footage shows a bright, fiery explosion as the two objects collide.
According to D.C. Fire and EMS Department Chief John Donnelly, first responders have shifted their focus from a rescue mission to a recovery effort after the tragic midair collision between a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. Chief Donnelly expressed uncertainty about the possibility of any survivors from the crash.
He indicated 27 bodies had been recovered from the airplane, and one from the helicopter.
At around 9 p.m. local time, the incident occurred as the two aircrafts approached Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport. The PSA flight, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, had departed from Wichita, Kansas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlighted that investigations will be conducted by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the NTSB taking the lead.
President Donald Trump sounded off about the crash on Truth Social.
Remarks by former President Trump expressed concerns over the collision, questioning why the helicopter and airplane were on a collision course despite clear conditions and the airplane’s visible lights. He also questioned the actions of the air traffic control tower in managing the situation, suggesting room for preventative measures in what he described as a worrisome and avoidable event.
“What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all!” he added in another post.
Fox News’ Melissa Summers and James Levison contributed to this report
