Harrowing air traffic control audio has shed more light on the horror American Airlines crash over Washington DC.
The PSA Airlines aircraft, which is owned by American Airlines, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members when it crashed into a BlackHawk helicopter with three military personnel on board last night just before 9.00pm (January 29).
The accident occurred while Flight 5342 was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, which has halted all take-offs and landings as law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors.
Both vehicles crashed into the Potomac River, with 18 bodies having been recovered so far.
American Airlines has since issued the following statement: “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
“There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
“If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
In audio obtained by CBS News, a dispatcher can be heard describing the moments after both aircrafts were downed.
“The accident happened in the river,” they say. “Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.”
Meanwhile, eye-witness Jimmy Mazeo told WUSA9 that he was eating his dinner at a nearby park when he saw ‘white flares’ in the sky, not realizing the seriousness of what had just happened.
Rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River for survivors, and to recover bodies (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
“We didn’t really think much of it until we saw the fire trucks started going out to the tarmac and the police cars and boats. It was insane,” he explained.
“I’m really in awe. Of course it’s terrible what happened tonight, but I think that it’s crazy we got to see what happened. I’m praying for all the people involved in this.”
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the ‘terrible accident’. He said in a statement: “May God Bless their souls.
“Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders.”
While adding on his TruthSocial account: “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
A man has revealed the heartbreaking final text from his wife, who was onboard the plane that crashed over Washington DC, before tragedy struck.
At 8.47pm ET (January 29), PSA Airlines aircraft collided with a military chopper over the Potomac River as it approached Ronald Reagan National Airport while preparing to land.
Part of the wreckage is seen as rescue boats search the waters of the Potomac River after a plane on approach to Reagan National Airport crashed into the river (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
There were 60 passengers and four crew members onboard the plane, while the BlackHawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers who were taking part in a training flight.
CCTV footage taken from a nearby building appears to show the moment the collision took place, as the sky erupted in flames before both crashed down into the water.
Tragically, Flight 5342 was carrying Hamaad Raza’s wife, as he revealed to WUSA9 that he had been in contact with his wife just minutes before the accident took place.
“I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now as we speak, that’s all I can pray for, I’m just praying to God,” Raza explained.
“She texted me that they were landing in 20 minutes.”
Wifi is available on almost all American Airlines flights, with the aviation company owning PSA Airlines, at a cost of $10.
Talking through his text messages, he added: “‘Landing in 20 minutes’, the rest of my texts did not get delivered, that’s when I realized something might be up.”
American Airlines issued the following statement: “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
Hamaad Raza explained how he was waiting to hear from his wife who was onboard the aircraft (WUSA9)
While audio obtained by CBS News, a dispatcher can be heard describing the moments after the both aircrafts were downed.
“The accident happened in the river,” they say. “Both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river.”
The accident occurred while Flight 5342 was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, which has halted all take-offs and landings as law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in search of survivors.
Both vehicles crashed into the Potomac River, with 18 bodies having been recovered so far.
American Airlines issued the following statement: “American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
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Chilling audio captures flight instructor’s last moments before student crashed plane
Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman tragically lost her life in the ordeal
Warning: Distressing content
An air traffic control recording revealed a flight instructor’s final moments.
Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman was a 22-year-old instructor and was out with a pair of students when tragedy struck.
According to early evidence, Ljungman was with trainees Oluwagbohunmi Ayomide Oyebode and another unidentified 18-year-old flying a single-engine plane in October 2022 when Oydebode stalled the plane after pulling the aircraft up at too steep of an angle during takeoff.
While the flight ended in disaster, audio revealed a voice, thought to be Ljungman’s, chatting to air traffic control as normal before the plane left the tarmac.
Responding to control staff regarding clearance to begin their journey, a female pilot says: “Cleared for takeoff, 97883. Caution wake turbulence.”
The latter signalled a standard warning given about taking off behind a larger aircraft, according to audio available from LiveATC.net.
Shortly after this, someone utters: “We got a crash!”
“883, are you OK?” the controller asks in reference to the plane’s identifiable tail number, N97883.
They then ask again: “Are you on this frequency?”, sadly to no avail, by which time air traffic control dispatched emergency services to the scene.
In the audio, it’s not clear who exactly is communicating with air traffic control, as any of the three pilots would have been able to speak with staff on the ground prior to the plane crash.
Tragically Ljungman lost her life in the crash, while her two students were left in a serious condition.
Oyebode was later taken to VCU Medical Center in Richmond to further continue medical care.
Following her untimely passing, Ljungman’s family shared a moving tribute to the budding instructor.
She’d gained her pilot license in March 2021, and her license as a flight instructor followed the month after.
“Everyone who interacted with Viktoria admired her kindness and intelligence, and respected her tremendous dedication and work ethic,” part of their statement read.
@viktoriathepilot / Instagram
“Viktoria loved Hampton University and her Pirate family. We deeply appreciate that Hampton University made it possible for Viktoria to study in the U.S. on a full scholarship, to achieve her dream of becoming a pilot, and to compete for her school on the tennis courts and on the sailing team.
“We also wish to express our appreciation for all the manifestations of love and support from to all those in Virginia and the U.S. who knew and loved Viktoria, and ask that our privacy be respected at this very difficult time.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
By means of a miracle, a helicopter pilot managed to save the lives of three passengers when the aircraft’s engine cut out.
On February 27, a helicopter carrying three passengers and a pilot crashed onto Honopu Beach, Hawaii.
Footage of the ordeal shows the pilot flying over some of the island’s stunning landscape when all of a sudden you hear the engine cut out.
There isn’t any audio of what the passengers and pilot were saying, but the pilot appears to remain calm in the undeniably stressful ordeal.
The helicopter appeared to be heading straight towards the ocean when the pilot manages to swing the aircraft round to the nearby beach so that they could crash land.
The last thing you see in the clip is the helicopter about to hit the beach.
While it could have ended in tragedy, all four of them survived the ordeal.
Making it even more miraculous, there were reports of just one person sustaining injuries.
One of the passengers injured their back and went on to be airlifted to Princeville Airport, where paramedics from American Medical Response awaited.
County of Kaua’i/Facebook
Jack Harter Helicopters are said to be the company who owned the helicopter in question. It prides itself on offering doors-off chopper rides around Hawaii.
“Capture epic moments and embrace the thrill of a doors-off helicopter around Kaua’i on our full hour tour,” its website says of the excursion. “Fly over waterfalls, canyons, cliffs, beaches, and more.”
One seat on the helicopter will get set you back $324.
The firm sent another helicopter to pick up the remaining three people once the injured individual was airlifted away last week.
Jack Harter Helicopters said that the pilot and other two passengers did not report any injuries.
air_rescue_systems/Instagram
The County of Kaua’i posted about the ordeal online, and people were quick to applaud the pilot.
One person wrote “Great Job Pilot!!!”
“Applaud the pilot for safely handling this unfortunate situation,” echoed another.
“Well I’d be happy with that pilot,” a third went on.
Others voiced their relief that no one died in the crash.
“Thank goodness only 1 injured it could’ve been worse,” someone penned. “Hope for a speedy recovery for the injured person.”
Another wrote: “Glad everyone is alive. Nothing in the story about the clean-up a can’t imagine it will be easy.”
An update on the injured passenger’s condition hasn’t been given.
A flight attendant miraculously survived a 33,000ft fall without a parachute and claimed a Guinness World Record in the process after plane exploded mid-air.
Some world records are hard to believe, but when you hear how Vesna Vulović claimed the coveted award, I think you’ll be left a little shocked.
On 26 January 1972, Vesna boarded JAT Yugoslav Airlines Flight 367 in Copenhagen, Denmark heading to Belgrade, Serbia.
Just 23 at the time, the flight attendant wasn’t even meant to be on the plane that ended up plummeting out of the sky as the airline confused Vesna with another employee of the same name.
The JAT Yugoslav Airlines exploded over the village of Srbska Kamenice, which was in the country known as Czechoslovakia at the time.
Many of the passengers on board were reportedly sucked out of the plane by the change in air pressure, leading to instant death.
Vesna miraculously survived (Wikipedia Commons)
Vesna, meanwhile, found herself jammed by the food cart, trapped in the plane’s broken fuselage as it tumbled towards the ground.
The plane also landed in a wooded area with thick snow, which also helped save Vesna’s life. She has no memory of the incident.
Vesna sustained heavy injuries from the mind-blowing fall, including a fractured skull, broken vertebrae and legs, several broken ribs and a fractured pelvis, but she miraculously survived.
The flight attendant was found screaming inside the aircraft’s wreckage by Bruno Honke, a former World War Two medic, who was able to provide life-saving first aid.
Vesna fell into a coma for several days and has amnesia from one hour before the incident until one month after.
Speaking to Green Light, she said: “The first thing I remember is seeing my parents in the hospital. “I was talking to them asking them why they were with me in Slovenia. I thought I was in Slovenia because I was just in Ljubljana before going to Copenhagen.”
A Yugoslav Airlines aircraft (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
Vesna was temporarily paralysed from the waist down but was able to walk again after 10 months.
As for the cause of the plane crash, it is believed a bomb in a suitcase exploded in the baggage compartment.
No arrests were ever made in connection to the tragedy, though Croatian terrorist group the Ustashe were suspected to be behind the attack.
Vesna was the only one of 28 passengers and crew members to survive the crash.
Because she fell from over six miles and survived, Vesna became a Guinness World Record holder for surviving the greatest fall without a parachute.
She died in 2016 at the age of 66. When asked if she felt she was lucky to have survived the 33,000 feet fall, she said: “If I were lucky, I would never had this accident, and my mother and father would be alive.
“The accident ruined their lives, too. Maybe I was born in the wrong place. Maybe it was a bad place.”
