Topics: American Airlines, US News, Washington
Two airport workers with access to surveillance footage of the mid-air collision between a commercial airline and a military chopper, have been arrested for leaking the recording.
On Wednesday night (January 29), the US suffered its deadliest aviation disaster since 2001, with all 67 people involved in the Washington DC plane crash believed to be dead - although officials have only identified 55 of those.
As the pilots Jonathan Campos and Samuel Lilley, of Flight 5342, a PSA Airlines aircraft - owned by American Airlines - approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to land their 60 passengers and two fellow crew members, it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter.
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The chopper was carrying three US soldiers taking part in a training expedition, while the jet was completing its two-hour-45-minute flight from Wichita, Kansas.
Now, two staffers working for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) have been arrested with claims that they made unauthorised copies of CCTV footage showing the moment of collision.
On Friday (January 31), 21-year-old Mohamed Lamine Mbengue, of Rockville, Maryland, was charged with computer trespass 'making an unauthorized copy of Airports Authority records', spokesperson for MWAA Crystal Nosal, announced on Monday.
He was taken to Arlington County jail, in Virginia - across from the US capital, but has since been released.
While on Sunday (February 2), 45-year-old Jonathan Savoy, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was also arrested and charged with computer trespass - but like Mbengue, he has also been released from jail.
The two clips that the suspects are alleged to have made were obtained by CNN and show the devastating tragedy in clear detail.
The outlet described the videos stating that both aircrafts 'can clearly be seen flying towards each other, then exploding and falling into the river after the fatal explosion'.
American Airlines issued a statement on the incident which reads: "American Eagle Flight 5342 en-route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700.
"There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft. Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
"If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly."
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