In a heartbreaking turn of events, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. military helicopter, leading to a catastrophic crash over the Potomac River. Among the victims was the wife of Hamaad Raza, who shared her final message before the tragic incident.
The aircraft, en route from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C., crashed at approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday night. Raza’s wife, who frequently traveled for work, texted him just before impact, saying, “Landing in 20 minutes.” When his responses went undelivered, Raza sensed something was terribly wrong.
In an emotional interview with WUSA9, Raza revealed that his wife was always uneasy about flying. Holding onto hope, he expressed, “I’m just praying that somebody’s pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
The tragic accident involved 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the flight, alongside three military personnel in the helicopter. The devastating impact sent both aircraft plunging into the icy waters of the Potomac.
According to a report by BBC, nearly 300 rescuers were deployed in rubber boats to locate survivors. John Donnelly, Washington, D.C.’s fire and emergency services chief, described the challenging conditions: “There is wind, ice on the water, and it is dangerous to navigate.”
Despite their relentless efforts, authorities later announced a shift from rescue to recovery mode, stating that no survivors were expected to be found.
Passengers Included U.S. Figure Skating Team Members
Adding to the tragedy, People reported that several members of the U.S. Figure Skating Team were on board, returning from a national development camp held in Wichita. In a statement, the governing body expressed profound sorrow for the loss of athletes, coaches, and family members.
American Airlines Responds to the Tragedy
Following the accident, American Airlines issued an official statement: “American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was involved in an accident while en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C. Our hearts go out to those affected, and we are assisting authorities in the emergency response.”
President Trump Addresses the Nation
President Donald Trump, who had just taken office earlier in the week, stated that he was closely following the situation and had been briefed on the “horrible accident.” Expressing his condolences, he added, “May God bless their souls. Thank you to our incredible first responders for their efforts.”
