A military helicopter and a commercial plane collided shortly before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, resulting in a significant aviation accident. The Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which had a distinctive gold top typically reserved for VIP transport, was conducting an "annual proficiency training flight" when the incident occurred. The crash happened near Washington D.C., involving a CRJ-700 plane operated by PSA Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American Airlines.
The helicopter from the Army's Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, took off from Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Built by Maryland-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., the helicopter features twin engines and a single 4-bladed rotor. It was designed to accommodate two pilots and eight passengers. At the time of the collision, only three individuals were on board, none of whom were senior U.S. officials. The crew was described as "fairly experienced" and was undergoing a night evaluation as part of their training.
The CRJ-700 plane involved in the accident is manufactured by Bombardier. Following the collision, the National Transportation Security Board has launched a thorough investigation, with the Army joining efforts to determine the cause of the crash. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated:
"We don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft."
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy remarked on the situation, saying:
"This was not unusual, with a military aircraft flying the river and aircraft landing at DCA."
The crash has drawn attention to the complexities of air traffic in regions where military and commercial flights frequently intersect. The investigation will seek to clarify any deviations from standard protocols that could have led to this unfortunate event.
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