More flights diverted to RIC from Ronald Reagan just days after deadly crash killed nearly 70 people
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Two more American Airlines-affiliated planes originally bound for Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) were diverted to Richmond International Airport (RIC) on Friday, just days after a tragic crash near DCA left 67 people dead. The afternoon of Friday, Jan. 31, a spokesperson for RIC told 8News that two American Airlines regional affiliates that were meant to land at DCA in Arlington were instead sent to RIC in Henrico County. MORE: Collision of American Airlines jet and Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. The flights originated at New Orleans International (MSY) in Louisiana and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. That first flight, PSA Airlines 5345, left MSY at about 10:22 a.m. on Friday, according to FlightAware. The map provided by FlightAware shows that the plane reached DCA, then turned around to instead fly down to RIC, where it arrived at 1:06 p.m. -- about 23 minutes early. The second flight, Enovy Air 3590, left RDU at 12:53 p.m. Friday -- over an hour later than scheduled, per FlightAware -- and made its way toward DCA. FlightAware's map appears to show the plane circling DCA several times before ultimately departing and heading for RIC. It arrived there at 2:39 p.m., about an hour and 48 minutes behind schedule. The spokesperson for RIC said American Airlines did not provide a reason for these diversions to the Henrico airport. A spokesperson for American Airlines told 8News that weather conditions caused these diversions. Per StormTracker8 chief meteorologist John Bernier, there are low clouds in the area around DCA. As of about 4:45 p.m., the passengers on these two flights have not been deplaned -- or made to leave their respective planes. According to American Airlines, they will remain onboard as the pilots wait out the weather conditions. Once they are able, the flights will take off again and return to DCA. This comes just two days after an Army helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 the night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, as said flight was approaching DCA. The impact caused the plane to crash into the Potomac River. Of the 60 passengers, four crew members and three soldiers on those two aircrafts, none survived. PREVIOUS: ‘It could have been me,' Passengers reflect on close call after diverted flight to Richmond airport As emergency crews responded to the crash site by the hundreds Wednesday night, the airspace surrounding DCA was closed, resulting in diversions. RIC received two of those flights. This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Two more American Airlines-affiliated planes originally bound for Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) were diverted to Richmond International Airport (RIC) on Friday, just days after a tragic crash near DCA left 67 people dead.
The afternoon of Friday, Jan. 31, a spokesperson for RIC told 8News that two American Airlines regional affiliates that were meant to land at DCA in Arlington were instead sent to RIC in Henrico County.
MORE: Collision of American Airlines jet and Army helicopter near Washington, D.C.
The flights originated at New Orleans International (MSY) in Louisiana and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina.
That first flight, PSA Airlines 5345, left MSY at about 10:22 a.m. on Friday, according to FlightAware. The map provided by FlightAware shows that the plane reached DCA, then turned around to instead fly down to RIC, where it arrived at 1:06 p.m. -- about 23 minutes early.
The second flight, Enovy Air 3590, left RDU at 12:53 p.m. Friday -- over an hour later than scheduled, per FlightAware -- and made its way toward DCA. FlightAware's map appears to show the plane circling DCA several times before ultimately departing and heading for RIC. It arrived there at 2:39 p.m., about an hour and 48 minutes behind schedule.
The spokesperson for RIC said American Airlines did not provide a reason for these diversions to the Henrico airport.
A spokesperson for American Airlines told 8News that weather conditions caused these diversions. Per StormTracker8 chief meteorologist John Bernier, there are low clouds in the area around DCA.
As of about 4:45 p.m., the passengers on these two flights have not been deplaned -- or made to leave their respective planes. According to American Airlines, they will remain onboard as the pilots wait out the weather conditions. Once they are able, the flights will take off again and return to DCA.
This comes just two days after an Army helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 the night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, as said flight was approaching DCA. The impact caused the plane to crash into the Potomac River. Of the 60 passengers, four crew members and three soldiers on those two aircrafts, none survived.
As emergency crews responded to the crash site by the hundreds Wednesday night, the airspace surrounding DCA was closed, resulting in diversions. RIC received two of those flights.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
