A passenger plane from Wichitain Kansas, has hit a helicopter on the Potomac River of Washingtonwhile performing the landing maneuver around the Ronald Reagan airport.
The collision has caused shock in the United States while the authorities continue to seek victims in the river that passes through the US capital. The CNN chain has reported that 18 bodies have already been found, although there is no official statement.
What is the Black Hawk Sikorsky UH-60, the helicopter that has collided with the plane?
The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States He has issued a statement in which he has confirmed that the helicopter involved in the accident was military. Specifically, a Sikorsky Model UH-60 Black Hawk which has collided with the air apparatus while approaching track 33 of the airport.
Three US army soldiers were aboard the helicoptercommonly used in training maneuvers. According to an officer to Reuters, There was no high command in the devicewhile an army spokesman has confirmed that it was a training flight.
This type of helicopter was manufactured in the US and was used in various missionsbeing a key apparatus for the American army in work of Transport of soldiers, important charges, medical evacuations or aerial assaults.
“Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why the control tower didn’t tell the helicopter what he had to do instead of asking if he had seen the plane? ” Donald Trump In a message posted on its social truth platform.
Subsequently, the tycoon has pointed to The incident “seems to have been avoided”since “the night is clear,” and has pointed to the helicopter because “he was directly to the plane for a long period of time.”
The plane, game on two on the Potomac River
The US authorities strive to seek survivors of the accident. After the incident, the authorities confirmed to local media that There are fatalities, without specifying a specific number. According to the CNN, police sources said that these victims have not been rescued from the waters of the Potomac River, nor possible survivors.
For its part, Fox has indicated that On the river is the game left in twoas well as The helicopter, which is underwater in the reverse position.
The authorities in charge of the rescue admitted that The deployment operates in complicated conditions by the cold and that will run over the early hours of Thursday and the necessary time.
“It is a very complex operation. The conditions are extremely hard for lifeguards. It is cold and are dealing with relatively summary conditions. The wind is strong in the river, “John Donnelly, head of the Washington Emergency Service, said at a press conference.
The mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowserhe pointed out that the two devices fell to the Potomac River, on whose shore a strong device was displayed with about 300 emergency units with firefighters, police cars and ambulances, as well as rescue boats and diving units.
“We feel very much that families are suffering losses. We want it to be known that we will continue working with American Airlines to share information as often as possible and make sure we get accurate information, “Bowser said.
The president and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Airports, Jack Potterhe stressed in that same appearance that the efforts are currently focused on the rescue: “Right now we are in rescue mode and we will continue in that mode,” he said that this effort will last “many hours.”
