American Airlines CEO Issues Video Statement After DC Plane Crash: ‘We Are All Hurting’
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Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, addressed the public Wednesday night following the devastating crash of an American Eagle plane near Washington, D.C. In his video statement, Isom expressed the airline’s commitment to assisting those affected by the tragedy.
“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders, along with their families and loved ones,” Isom said as rescue teams worked tirelessly in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Speaking at a Thursday morning news conference in Washington, Isom described the situation as “devastating” and said, “We are all hurting.” He also took a moment to commend the efforts of first responders who worked through the night.
Isom emphasized that the flight crew operating the plane were experienced professionals. “The captain had worked for PSA for almost six years, and the first officer had worked for PSA for almost two years,” he noted. He encouraged anyone concerned about loved ones to call a designated help line at 800-679-8215. Details about the crew’s base or additional victim information had not been released.
Family assistance centers have been set up by American Airlines to provide support. Over 100 staff members are working to help the families of the victims. Authorities confirmed that the victims came from Kansas, Washington, and other locations across the country.
Watch his full statement below:
The Crash
The collision occurred Wednesday night when a passenger aircraft departing from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. This incident triggered a large-scale search-and-rescue mission that extended late into the night, according to McClatchy and the Kansas City Star.
American Eagle Flight 5342, a CRJ-700 operated by PSA Airlines, was approaching Reagan National Airport at the time of the collision. The flight carried 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter had three military personnel onboard. Unfortunately, authorities do not expect any survivors from the crash, which claimed all 67 lives.
Robert Isom revealed that he and a team from American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, were traveling to Washington to oversee efforts and provide additional support.
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Support from American Airlines
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major hub for American Airlines, released a statement expressing grief. “Our hearts are shattered by the tragic events,” officials said. American Airlines, which operates 90% of flights at the Charlotte hub, has been working closely with its subsidiary PSA Airlines to manage the crisis.
PSA Airlines announced plans to move its corporate headquarters to Charlotte next year, further solidifying its role in American’s regional network. The Dayton, Ohio-based airline handles over 750 daily departures, including more than 180 flights out of Charlotte. PSA Airlines supports four major American hubs: Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Context and Historical Perspective
The United States has not experienced a major commercial airline disaster in 15 years. For American Airlines, this crash is the first significant tragedy involving the carrier in over two decades.
The last major crash involving American Airlines occurred in November 2001, when Flight 587 went down shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport in New York City. The Airbus A300, bound for Santo Domingo, encountered wake turbulence from another aircraft, leading to the loss of all 260 people onboard.
