Recovery teams initiated the salvage operation of the American Airlines jet that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter last week in the Potomac River near Washington. On Monday morning, crews began lifting wreckage pieces from the water, starting with one of the plane's engines. The operation is expected to unfold over three days, with ongoing searches for the remaining victims.
The tragic accident, which happened before the jet's landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulted in the loss of 64 passengers and crew members on the jet, along with three personnel in the helicopter. As of Sunday, the remains of 55 individuals have been recovered from the river’s depths.
Col. Francis Pera from the Army Corps of Engineers noted that the recovery efforts might also lead to locating missing victims. Once lifted from the river, the aircraft will be transported for further investigation into the incident. Early reports highlight potential safety issues, including staffing and congestion concerns at the busy airport, prompting a federal investigation into the causes of this devastating crash, the worst in the U.S. in 20 years.
The tragic accident, which happened before the jet's landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulted in the loss of 64 passengers and crew members on the jet, along with three personnel in the helicopter. As of Sunday, the remains of 55 individuals have been recovered from the river’s depths.
Col. Francis Pera from the Army Corps of Engineers noted that the recovery efforts might also lead to locating missing victims. Once lifted from the river, the aircraft will be transported for further investigation into the incident. Early reports highlight potential safety issues, including staffing and congestion concerns at the busy airport, prompting a federal investigation into the causes of this devastating crash, the worst in the U.S. in 20 years.
