New Delhi: A midair collision involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet took place on Wednesday evening at Reagan National Airport in Virginia’s Arlington. The aircraft, which had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, crashed in the Potomac River, close to the airport.
The airliner had approximately 60 people on board, while the number of people aboard the helicopter remains unknown. As many as 18 bodies have been recovered till now. A frantic search for more crash victims in the river is on. With the water temperature hovering around 35°F, survivors have only 15 to 20 minutes before the risk of hypothermia becomes life-threatening.
The Potomac River, which flows through Washington, D.C., has been the scene of several aviation mishaps, including the infamous 1982 crash of Air Florida Flight 90, as well as several other military and civilian accidents.
Air Florida Flight 90 accident
It was on January 13, 1982 that Air Florida Flight 90 crashed in Washington, D.C. during a snowstorm. The Boeing 737-222, which was headed to Fort Lauderdale, faced severe ice buildup on its wings, a situation aggravated by errors in the de-icing process. After it took off, the plane lost control, rammed the 14th Street Bridge, struck multiple vehicles, and then plunged into the icy Potomac River.
As many as 78 people lost their lives in the crash, including four motorists. Five passengers somehow survived by holding on to the wreckage in the frozen waters, with help from a US Park Police helicopter and a gritty bystander, Lenny Skutnik, who dived into the freezing river to help. One of the passengers, Arland D. Williams Jr., boldly passed the rescue line to others. Arland D. Williams Jr. ultimately succumbed to the cold. In recognition of his bravery, a bridge was later named in his honour.
Eastern Air Lines Flight 537 disaster
On November 1, 1949, Eastern Air Lines Flight 537, a Douglas DC-4, collided midair with a P-38 Lightning fighter jet. The commercial plane plunged into the river, killing all 55 people on board, while the fighter pilot survived. The crash was attributed mainly to miscommunication between air traffic controllers and the fighter jet.
F-14 Tomcat crash
Potomac River was the site of another accident. On June 27, 2006, a Grumman F-14 Tomcat crashed into the Potomac River during a training exercise. The incident was dramatic as the two crew members ejected safely. However, no casualties were reported. Later, engine failure was determined to be the cause behind the mishap.
‘Miracle on the Hudson’
The sight of a plane in the river prompts one to recall the harrowing events of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. Minutes after taking off from LaGuardia Airport, the aircraft hit a flock of Canada geese, causing both engines to fail. Reacting promptly, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles carried out a remarkable emergency water landing in the Hudson River. Against all odds, all 155 passengers and crew members survived the incident.
Although no such miracles have occurred on the Potomac till date, and it is hoped that such crashes become history.
