Flight 5342 crash: Tragic timeline of events

Air traffic controllers desperately warned a US Army helicopter to steer clear of an American Airlines passenger plane seconds before a horrific mid-air crash over Washington, DC! Both aircraft plunged into the freezing Potomac River, turning a routine flight into a nightmare. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as chilling distress calls filled the airwaves.

Tragic timeline of events

Chaos unfolded in mere minutes! Here’s how the disaster struck:

5:18 PM – American Airlines Flight 5342, a CRJ 700, departs Wichita, Kansas, bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Sixty-four people are onboard.

8:39:40 PM – A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, call sign PAT25, takes off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The crew of three begins a training mission, flying up the Potomac River from Langley, Virginia.

8:40 PM – Flight 5342 approaches Reagan National’s Runway 33 from the south. Passengers prepare for landing, unaware of the danger ahead.

8:48:38 PM – Urgent warning! Air traffic controllers radio PAT25: “Do you have the CRJ in sight?” The helicopter pilot confirms visual contact with Flight 5342. He requests “visual separation,” signaling an attempt to avoid disaster.

8:48:56 PM – Catastrophe! The Black Hawk and the CRJ 700 collide at 300 feet over the Potomac. The passenger jet, moving at 145 mph, is struck mid-air. Chaos erupts in the control tower! One controller is heard exclaiming, “Did you see that?!” Flames and debris rain down as terrified witnesses along the river call for help.

What went wrong?

Despite the warnings, disaster struck in the dark skies over DC. Experts now question whether the helicopter miscalculated its maneuver or if miscommunication sealed the fate of both aircraft. Aviation analysts point to possible misjudgment in spatial awareness, leading to a catastrophic chain reaction.

Rescue and investigation underway

Search and rescue teams worked through the freezing night, scouring the Potomac for survivors. Initial reports suggest multiple casualties, but officials remain tight-lipped. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation, combing through wreckage and black box recordings.

This shocking tragedy leaves authorities scrambling for answers. How could such a deadly mistake happen in the heart of the nation’s capital? The investigation is just beginning. Families of those on board demand answers. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge!