A passenger plane operated by American Airlines collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night, resulting in a crash and a massive search and rescue operation. The incident halted all air traffic at the airport and authorities have confirmed fatalities.
A still image captured from a camera atop the Kennedy Center shows the moment a passenger plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter Monday night, January 29, 2025. An American Airlines small eagle plane collided with a military helicopter, crashing into the Potomac River near D.C.'s Reagan National Airport Wednesday night, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials. The crash halted takeoffs and landings at the D.C.
area airport as officials issued a ground stop and closed the airport, according to the FAA. The airport is expected to continue its ground stop until 5 a.m. Video captured by a camera on the Kennedy Center building shows what appears to be an explosion of an aircraft descending onto the runway. 'A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We will provide updates as information comes in,' said the FAA.Audio dispatch recorded the moment the crash was reported. A dispatcher initially notes the report of the collision, 'officer advised, there's a helicopter in the water. They found life boats retrieving injured, then looking for the aircraft at the moment.''At 8:53 p.m. multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time,' said D.C. officials. There could be at least 60 people on the American Airlines flight and four crew members, according to D.C. Councilperson Brooke Pinto.According to CNN, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region media chief Heather Chairez confirmed the 12 Aviation Battalion crew, based out of Fort Belvoir, was on a training flight. The service members are tasked with providing helicopter transportation and 'technical rescue support.' Chairez told CNN it wasn't clear from where the Black Hawk's flight originated. CNN reported there are confirmed fatalities, and that around midnight, no survivors were yet pulled from the water, though rescue efforts continue. That source told CNN remnants of the plane are scattered across the river and the helicopter is also in the water.The FBI confirmed its Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad was assisting law enforcement and emergency responders. The Air and Space Forces Association also confirmed they were responding to the midair collision incident,. 'We ask the public to keep the families in your thoughts and respect efforts to get information to loved ones first as everyone clings to hope for survivors. Please avoid speculation at any time,' the union said in a statement.'We’re aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes.' The airport is expected to remain closed until 11 p.m. and the ground stop is expected to remain effective until 10:30 p.m., according to the FAA. Posting on X, Mayor Muriel Bowser said, 'Our prayers are with everyone involved, and we will continue to keep the public updated as more information becomes available.'It is not yet clear how many victims were involved in the crash.Texas Senator Ted Cruz on X said he expected a briefing from the FAA by Thursday. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on X his department will also direct resources to provide support to the National Transportation Safety Board along with all other agency and authorities responding to the tragedy. Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also posted on social media he was learning more about the incident, expressing condolences to any victims of the crash. The last water rescue after an aircraft crashed into the Potomac River was in 1982 during a snowstorm.7News Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson noted it will only take 30 minutes in the water at its late-night freezing temperature before it has fatal consequences. Metro's Silver Line train extended its service from the airport to Metro Center, 'with stops in between and exits only,' according to an X post. Metro buses will also be available to transport passengers back to their cars if needed
Plane Crash Potomac River Mid-Air Collision Reagan National Airport American Airlines Black Hawk Helicopter NTSB Investigation
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