The tragic incident involving the American Airlines flight has resulted in a devastating outcome that has left many in shock and mourning.

On January 29, American Eagle Flight 5342, which was transporting 60 passengers along with four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, encountered a catastrophic mid-air collision with a US Army helicopter. This incident tragically led to the aircraft crashing into the Potomac River in Washington D.C. According to the city?s fire chief, John Donnelly, all individuals on board are ?feared dead,? bringing a profound sense of loss to their families and the community.

Fire Chief Donnelly indicated during a press conference that the focus of the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery, as reported by NBC News. To date, 27 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the airplane, alongside one body retrieved from the helicopter’s crash site, underscoring the tragic scale of this aviation disaster.

Donnelly expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to locate the remaining deceased individuals, stating that the next phase of the operation will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board. He cautioned that this phase might require additional time and resources, noting, ?It may involve some more equipment,? which reflects the complicated nature of recovery in such challenging conditions.

As a direct consequence of this horrific crash, which resulted in the American Airlines jet being fragmented into multiple sections, Reagan National Airport has been temporarily closed. As of the time this information was published, the airport is expected to reopen at 11 a.m. local time, allowing recovery efforts to proceed safely and efficiently nearby.