Chilling air traffic control (ATC) audio has been released, revealing the reaction of staff as an American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter, killing everyone involved.
American Eagle flight 5342 (the brand name for the regional branch of American Airlines) on Wednesday night above the Potomac River near .
In the clip, ATC operators can be heard directing the helicopter, named PAT 25, to “pass behind” the passenger jet, named CRJ, just seconds before the fatal crash.
A controllor said, “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight? Pat 2-5 pass behind the CRJ”, followed moments later by gasps and: “Tower, did you see that? Crash, crash, crash, this is an alert three.”
The flight, coming from from Wichita, Kansas and operated by Pacific Southwest Airlines, had members on board. The Black Hawk had three people on board during its training flight.
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The crash killed everyone involved. (Image: Getty)
So far, over 40 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, and the search remains ongoing. ATC alerted other pilots immediately after the crash, redirecting planes approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport.
CNN reported a controller as saying: “I don’t know if you caught earlier what happened, on the approach end 3-3.
“We are going to be shutting down operations for the indefinite future if you want to go back to the gate. Highly suggest you guys coordinate with the company. Let me know what you want to do.”
The outlet added that a pilot witnessed the collision, responding: “Yeah, we were on from the opposite side of the Potomac.”
Another operator said: “It was probably out in the middle of the river. Um, I just saw a fireball and then it was just gone. I haven’t seen anything since they hit the river.”
An approach controller added: “Apparently both aircraft involved are in the river, a search and rescue will be ongoing.”
[EXCLUSIVE] [REVEAL]
During a press conference, President appeared to blame diversity policies under the previous administration for the tragedy, though the real cause is still unclear.
When asked why he thought the crash (DEI) policies, the president responded: “It just could have been”. He added: “Because I have common sense, OK, and unfortunately, a lot of people don’t.”
The Republican baselessly blamed ‘s administration – particularly former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg – for allegedly hiring people with disabilities and psychological issues for air traffic control positions.