Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed his condolences on Thursday for the families affected by the tragic collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet. The incident resulted in 67 fatalities, leaving many families in mourning.
Youngkin commended the swift response of first responders from the Coast Guard, Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland who bravely entered the frigid waters of the Potomac River to rescue individuals involved in the crash.
The Governor revealed that he has been in contact with American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, who is tasked with the difficult responsibility of informing the families of passengers and crew members about the tragic event. This process of notifying families is expected to continue throughout the day.
The National Transportation Safety Board has mobilized personnel from across the country to initiate a thorough investigation into the collision. Initial reports indicated that the approach for landing for American Airlines Flight 5342 was routine and that there was communication with the military helicopter involved in the incident. However, the tragic outcome revealed that the situation was far from routine, resulting in the loss of many lives.
As the investigation progresses, authorities will work diligently to determine the cause of the collision and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The community is urged to come together in support of the affected families during this difficult time.
