Breaking News: Black Hawk, passenger plane collide midair
(CNN) —Black Hawk that collided with passenger plane had 3 soldiers on board
The US Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger aircraft had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, according to a US defense official.
Senior Army officials often use Black Hawks for travel in the Washington, DC, area.
Potomac river temperatures in the mid 30s pose severe risk amid cold water warnings
The National Weather Service has issued a warning about the dangers of plunging into the Potomac River, where water temperatures are currently hovering around 35 degrees, despite air temperatures in Washington, DC, being near 50 degrees.
Sudden immersion in such frigid water, known as cold shock, can trigger immediate physiological responses such as uncontrolled gasping, rapid breathing or hyperventilation, according to the National Weather Service.
“Cold shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress reaction that then impairs clear thinking and decision making,” the weather service cautioned. These reactions, coupled with a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, can heighten the risk of heart failure or stroke, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
The dangers escalate with prolonged exposure. Hypothermia begins when the body’s core temperature falls to 95 degrees, a process that can start within moments in water this cold. In 35-degree water, individuals may lose dexterity in as little as three minutes, with unconsciousness occurring within 15 to 30 minutes, according to the weather service. Survival times in such conditions are estimated to range between 30 and 90 minutes.
“Since water conducts body heat away up to 26 times faster than air of the same temperature, the cold water rapidly causes extremities to become numb, weakening the ability of muscles to work effectively,” the weather service warned, underscoring the life-threatening risks posed by the river’s near-freezing temperatures.
US defense secretary says department is “poised to assist if needed” after plane-helicopter collision
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of Defense is monitoring developments after a US Army helicopter collided with a passenger plane on approach to Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC.
“DoD actively monitoring. Poised to assist if needed. Prayers for all involved,” Hegseth said in a post on X.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley responds to plane crash
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly responded to Wednesday night’s plane crash.
“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport. I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a post on X.
Witness said he saw “stream of sparks” after plane suddenly banked right
Ari Schulman told CNN he was driving home when he witnessed the plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.
Everything seemed normal as he drove along the George Washington Parkway, the highway that runs by the airport, he said. As he watched the planes coming in to land, one in particular caught his eye.
Three seconds later, the plane “was banked all the way to the right… past 90 degrees.”
“I could see the underside of it. It was lit up a very bright yellow, and there was a stream of sparks underneath it,” he said, adding that “it was high off the ground.”
Schulman said following that, everything went dark.
Schulman said everything happened so quickly.
“I didn’t see the plane hit the ground. I didn’t see flames or an explosion or smoke. I didn’t see emergency lights. It was so brief,” he said.
Trump’s new transportation secretary monitoring crash from FAA headquarters
Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says he is monitoring developments related to the plane crash in the Potomac River at the Federal Aviation Administration’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
He was sworn in just a few hours ago.
“I am on site at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation,” Duffy posted on X.
