19 Bodies Pulled Out Of Potomac River As Death Toll Keeps Rising In US Plane Crash Tragedy

US Plane Crash Death Toll: 19 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after an American Airlines plane crash involving 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a US Army helicopter.

American Airlines Plane Crash: The plane (encircled big) approaches the Black Hawk helicopter (encircled small) just before landing; the two aircraft go up in flames after collision (right).

Source : X@goat_rohit45

US Plane Crash: As many as 19 bodies have been pulled out of the Potomac River after the American Airlines plane crash in Washington DC, reported CNN. There are more bodies likely trapped in the debris of the plane submerged in the Potomac River.

BREAKING🚨: A helicopter and a commercial jet collided mid-air while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Rescue operations involving boats are currently searching the Potomac River. pic.twitter.com/YVoivu8ohI

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) January 30, 2025

The American Airlines plane collided that with a US Army helicopter had 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter, which was on a training flight, reported CNN. The flight crash was caught on video by a CCTV camera at Kennedy Centre.

After an initial statement about being briefed on the incident, US President Donald Trump took to social media website Truth Social, saying the plane was in working order. He, however, blamed the US Army chopper for the crash.  

Rescue officials told CNN that they feared this could become the deadliest air disaster in Washington DC in decades since the Air Florida Flight crash in 1982. Back then, the plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, connecting Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

After the accident, American Airlines issued a statement saying: "American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700." AA CEO Robert Isom said the flight was going from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington DC. "If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly," he said.