Reagan National Airport will remain closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m., following a collision between a passenger aircraft and a US Army helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that all takeoffs and landings have been halted at the airport.
The incident occurred when an American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a Sikorsky helicopter as the aircraft was approaching a runway at Reagan National Airport. The collision prompted emergency personnel at the airport to initiate a swift response, with mutual aid from neighboring agencies called in to assist.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority released a statement detailing the events of the crash. The statement mentioned that the crash took place around 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, leading to the suspension of all flight operations at the airport for the remainder of the evening.
Passengers at the airport were informed of the situation through flight boards displaying an emergency message, advising them that all flights were being held on the airfield. Travelers were instructed to check with their respective airline representatives for further information.
As a result of the collision, Reagan National Airport will remain closed until Friday at 5 a.m. The FAA and defense officials are conducting investigations into the incident, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
