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Mid-air Collision Near DC Left No Survivors, Officials Report As Recovery Efforts Begin

All passengers and crew died after an American Eagle flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air near DC

Officials have confirmed that all passengers and crew aboard American Eagle Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter were killed after the two aircraft collided mid-air Wednesday evening near Reagan National Airport.  

“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,” DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said Thursday at a news conference. 

Rescue teams have so far recovered 27 bodies from the plane and one from the helicopter, he added.  

The PSA Airlines-operated American Eagle flight, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was en route from Wichita to National Airport when it collided with the military helicopter, which was on a training flight with three service members on board.  

Authorities have now shifted from search-and-rescue efforts to recovery operations as they work to account for all victims and investigate the cause of the collision.

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