Washington air disaster was “preventable” says US government | BBC News

The US Transport Secretary has said the crash between a helicopter and passenger jet approaching Washington DC was “absolutely preventable”.

The plane was carrying 64 passengers and crew when it crashed into the Potomac River after the collision, along with the military helicopter. The helicopter had three people on board, who were labelled a "fairly experienced crew" by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Figure skaters from the US and Russia were among passengers on the aeroplane, according to officials from US Figure Skating and a club in Boston.

Authorities searching the freezing waters of the Pototomac say there are no survivors and they are conducting a recovery operation.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Ros Atkins and Nomia Iqbal.

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