The American Airlines collision is a rare incident for an airline with a strong safety record

(Credit: Alex Brandon—AP)

• An American Airlines plane collided with an Army helicopter near Washington D.C in a rare mid-air crash. The company has a strong safety record. There has not been a midair collision like this since 2009.

Mid-air collisions are a rare occurrence in the U.S. and American Airlines has not been involved in such a crash for decades.