Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Thursday morning that a “fairly experienced” crew was on the Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines flight near Washington, D.C., Wednesday night before both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
Sixty-four people, including passengers and crew, were on board American Airlines Flight 5342, a regional jet that was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided with the military helicopter. Authorities said Thursday morning that they believe no one survived the crash and have switched rescue efforts to recovery efforts. Responders have recovered at least 28 bodies from the Potomac River.
Hegseth said the three soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter were conducting an “annual proficiency training flight” and were wearing night-vision goggles.
“The Army unit involved was Bravo…
