Salvage operations commenced on Monday as crews began retrieving the wreckage of American Airlines Flight 5342 after its tragic accident involving a U.S. Army helicopter.
### Recovery Efforts Intensify Following D.C. Plane Crash
### Recovery Efforts Intensify Following D.C. Plane Crash
Recovery teams make progress in lifting wreckage from the Potomac River in a high-profile investigation into a tragic aviation incident.
Efforts to recover wreckage from the devastating crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 began Monday morning, marking the start of a three-day operation to pull remnants of the plane from the Potomac River. At approximately 10 a.m., the first significant piece—a jet engine—was lifted from the water by a crane on a barge, signaling the commencement of vital recovery efforts.
Before the day’s operations began, personnel and rescue boats started assembling around the river as early as 8 a.m. Col. Francis Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the salvage work might lead to the recovery of victims still missing after last week’s collision, which resulted in the loss of all 67 onboard both aircraft.
As of Sunday, officials confirmed that the remains of 55 individuals had been recovered, with ongoing searches continuing in the treacherous conditions of the chilly and murky waters. When safely extracted from the Potomac, the wreckage will be transported to a hangar for further investigation.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, is noted as the worst aviation disaster in the U.S. in two decades. The fatal collision transpired under clear skies as the jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. Although it is premature to assess the causes, federal investigators are closely examining potential staffing and safety issues at one of the nation's busiest airports as part of their inquiry.
As the salvage operation progresses, the nation mourns the loss of those at sea, while investigators work methodically to uncover the factors leading to this catastrophic event.
Before the day’s operations began, personnel and rescue boats started assembling around the river as early as 8 a.m. Col. Francis Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers indicated that the salvage work might lead to the recovery of victims still missing after last week’s collision, which resulted in the loss of all 67 onboard both aircraft.
As of Sunday, officials confirmed that the remains of 55 individuals had been recovered, with ongoing searches continuing in the treacherous conditions of the chilly and murky waters. When safely extracted from the Potomac, the wreckage will be transported to a hangar for further investigation.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, is noted as the worst aviation disaster in the U.S. in two decades. The fatal collision transpired under clear skies as the jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. Although it is premature to assess the causes, federal investigators are closely examining potential staffing and safety issues at one of the nation's busiest airports as part of their inquiry.
As the salvage operation progresses, the nation mourns the loss of those at sea, while investigators work methodically to uncover the factors leading to this catastrophic event.
