American Airlines aircraft at the gate at LaGuardia Airport
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom released a statement hours after an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter collided mid-air. Both crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night and there appear to be no survivors.
In the video statement, Isom shared his “deep sorrow” for those involved.
“This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines,” Isom said. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, first responders along with their families and loved ones.”
The American chief executive added that members of the airline’s Go Team will be traveling to D.C. and the American Airlines care team has been activated to assist families. [Editor’s note: An airline response Go Team provides reinforcement for local resources when an incident such as a crash occurs by providing an incident command center that is experienced in presupposing some of the world’s most disturbing “what ifs.”—PR]
“Anything we can do now we are doing and right now that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families,” Isom said.
The crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the United States Army.
American Airlines set up a special helpline for friends and family members of Flight 5342 at 800-679-8215.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
