Rescue Efforts in Icy Potomac Following Collision of American Airlines Jet and Army Helicopter

Recovery efforts are underway to retrieve passengers from the American Airlines jet and army helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night. The crews face significant challenges posed by the freezing water temperatures, which ranged from 33 to 36 degrees. This tragic incident is likely to have resulted in fatalities for all involved.

According to AccuWeather's Senior Director of Forecast Operations, Dan DePodwin, such low temperatures can lead to a rapid drop in the body's core temperature, resulting in exhaustion or unconsciousness within 15 to 30 minutes. The risk of hypothermia—when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it—increases dramatically in these conditions, which can lead to serious health consequences, including death, in under an hour.

Factors such as "cold shock" can also impact individuals' physical responses in the freezing water, resulting in immediate and severe changes in heart rate and breathing that heighten the risk of drowning. DePodwin emphasized the importance of wearing appropriate protective gear, such as a life jacket, and having communication devices on hand, particularly in challenging water conditions.

The current weather forecast predicts chilly and dry conditions, with winds around five to ten miles per hour, and high temperatures in the low 50s before rain is expected to arrive by Friday morning. DePodwin pointed out that the water temperature in the Potomac is significantly colder this year compared to the same time last year, primarily due to persistent Arctic air.

He highlighted the historical context of aviation tragedies in the Potomac, recalling the January 1982 crash of Air Florida Flight 90, which occurred during similar cold conditions and resulted in 78 fatalities, with only five survivors.