Shareholders approve Boeing's purchase of Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., has announced that its shareholders have approved the proposed acquisition by The Boeing Company. The vote, held during a special meeting on Friday, signifies a major step forward for the planned transaction. This acquisition, initially announced in the summer, is now on track to reshape the landscape of the aerospace manufacturing industry.

The deal aims to bring Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier of aircraft structures, under Boeing's umbrella, aiming to streamline operations and enhance supply chain stability.

The transaction is expected to close in mid-2025, subject to closing conditions including the receipt of regulatory approvals.

"Our shareholders’ resounding approval today represents an important milestone in our carefully planned merger with Boeing," said Irene Esteves, Spirit AeroSystems chief financial officer. "As we continue executing our transition planning, we remain focused on Spirit's foundational principles of safety, compliance, and quality."

Spirit will continue to operate as an independent company until the transaction closes.

Regional passenger jet collides with Blackhawk helicopter in Washington, DC

A collision between a PSA Airlines regional jet and a Blackhawk helicopter on Wednesday is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

A Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet (tail number N709PS) operated by PSA Airlines collided in midair with a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter (Flight ID: PAT25) while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday.

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said they started receiving multiple calls for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River at 8:53 p.m. DC Fire and EMS, the MPD, and numerous partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River.

The flight-tracking website ADS-B Exchange provided a view of three helicopters searching the Potomac River near the airport.

“There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time,” MPD said in a statement.

The PSA Airlines jet was operating as American Eagle flight 5342 inbound to Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kan. There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB will investigate the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation.

Reagan National announced at 9:12 p.m. that all takeoffs and landings had been halted at the airport. “Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield,” airport officials said on X. “The terminal remains open.”