Army crew involved in DC crash was ‘fairly experienced’: Hegseth

Hegseth, who was sworn successful arsenic caput Jan. 25, added successful a video statement that the chopper was flown by a "fairly experienced crew" wearing night-vision goggles.

Hegseth said relatives of the unit members aboard the chopper person not yet been notified.

American Eagle Flight 5342 was en way Wednesday from Wichita, Kansas, with 60 passengers and 4 unit members aboard erstwhile it collided with a UH-60 Black Hawk carrying 3 soldiers. Both aircraft went into the icy Potomac River, prompting an extended hunt and rescue operation.

At slightest 28 bodies were recovered from the country Thursday morning. Officials said 27 bodies were recovered from the pitchy and 1 was pulled from the helicopter. Officials successful D.C. fearfulness determination are nary survivors.

Hegseth announced successful a station connected X that the Pentagon and Army "immediately" launched an probe into the collision, calling the incidental "absolutely tragic."

"Search and rescue efforts inactive ongoing," helium said, adding, "Prayers for each impacted souls, and their families."

Hegseth said aviation operations from the U.S. Army successful D.C. are connected a 48-hour operational intermission arsenic the clang is reviewed.

“We expect that the probe volition rapidly beryllium capable to find whether the craft was successful the 4th and the close altitude astatine the clip of the incident," helium said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is portion of an probe led by the National Transportation Safety Board. The FAA said it volition rapidly bash what is indispensable based connected the grounds the probe uncovers.

NewsNation’s integer shaper Michael Ramsey, analogous Tom Dempsey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.