
There are not believed to be any survivors from the midair collision over the Potomac River, and rescuers are now conducting a recovery operation, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said.
“We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,” he said in a the morning news conference.
Twenty-seven bodies had been recovered from the passenger jet, and one had been recovered from the military helicopter, Donnelly confirmed.
The wreckage of the American Airlines jet that collided with a military helicopter and plunged into the Potomac River was broken apart, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said.

Duffy said the work to recover the wreckage from the Potomac is underway.
“As that recovery takes place of the fuselage of the aircraft, NTSB is going to start to analyze that aircraft, partner with the FAA with all the information we have to get the best results possible for the American people,” he said.
Both the American Airlines jet and the military helicopter were taking a “standard flight pattern” last night, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said Thursday morning.
“This was a clear night last night; the helicopter was in the standard pattern. If you live in the DC area, you will see helicopters up and down the river,” he said during a news conference.
“This was a standard fight pattern last night as well.”
“The American Airline flight coming in to land was in a standard flight pattern as it was coming into DCA, so this was not unusual with a military aircraft flying the river and aircraft landing at DCA,” Duffy said.
American Airlines has shared a toll-free number and said family of people who were onboard American Airlines Flight 5342 when it collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport should call for information.
The passenger jet was carrying 64 people and the Black Hawk helicopter had three soldiers on board.
A press briefing is taking place at Reagan National Airport with Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser on the fatal midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet carrying 64 people and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board.
We’ll bring you the latest information from DC officials as we get it.
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