ORLANDO, Fla. – Some passengers at Orlando International Airport were scrambling to rebook flights early Thursday amid cancellations because of a midair collision in Washington, D.C.
The collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight from Kansas killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, officials said. Among the victims was a 34-year-old Ormond Beach man who graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.
Reagan National Airport was shut down through midday Thursday while rescue and recovery teams searched the Potomac River.
At Orlando International Airport, there were several delays and cancellations to Washington, D.C.
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Phoebe Pray was trying to fly home to Portland, but had to find a different flight because of the shutdown at Reagan National Airport.
“My first flight was delayed and then second flight was cancelled and I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to get there,” Pray said. “I’ve been running up and down the terminals all morning trying to figure out who can get me home.”
Braelyn Brown, who was on her way to the airport when she heard about the midair collision, said she had concerns about boarding her flight back home to Phoenix.
“My heart is with all of those families,” Brown said. “I’m definitely somebody who already has concerns flying. So then hearing something like this, it just is a reminder of what can happen every time you get on a flight.”
The following statement on the midair collision was issued by Orlando International Airport on Thursday:
“The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority joins the entire aviation community in offering our deepest sympathy and support to those affected by the tragic accident near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. This was a devastating loss of life, and there is no doubt that the industry will take every measure to fully understand the cause of this incident and help to ensure it does not happen again. We ask all passengers to maintain confidence in the safety protocols already in place as we all work to make air travel even more safe and reliable.”
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