A US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet collided mid-air near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which occurred during the approach to Runway 33 at around 9:00 p.m. local time. Authorities are working to locate any potential casualties and determine the cause of the collision.
A major search and rescue operation is underway after a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday evening.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport around 9:00 p.m. local time. There were no immediate reports on casualties or the cause of the collision. President Donald Trump was informed about the incident and expressed his condolences, stating, 'I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.' The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the incident, with the FAA assisting. The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia received multiple calls for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River at 8:53 p.m. Local authorities, including DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other partner agencies, are coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. American Airlines confirmed that they were aware of reports regarding American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA, being involved in an incident.The helicopter involved in the crash was identified as a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter capable of carrying 15 people, including two pilots, two crew chiefs, and two rescue specialists. The Army confirmed that there were three soldiers on board the helicopter at the time of the incident. According to Reagan National Airport's reports at the time of the crash, the weather conditions were clear with 10-mile visibility, winds blowing from the northwest at 16 mph with gusts up to 26 mph, and a temperature of 50 degrees. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, recently sworn into office, was on the scene monitoring the situation. The DC Fire and EMS Department deployed fireboats to the crash site. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that every available US Coast Guard resource was deployed to assist with the search and rescue efforts.The Department of Homeland Security is actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to support local responders. Air traffic control audio recordings from around the time of the incident revealed a controller asking the helicopter, 'PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,' referring to the passenger aircraft. Seconds later, another pilot can be heard calling, 'Tower did you see that?' suggesting a possible collision. A video posted on X, captured from the Kennedy Center's webcam, appeared to show a midair explosion near the Potomac River.Kansas Governor Laura Kelley expressed her awareness of the incident and stated that she was in contact with authorities. Senator Roger Marshall, representing Kansas, confirmed seeing reports of the collision involving a DC helicopter and an incoming flight from Wichita, Kansas. He assured that they were in contact with authorities working to gather answers and asked for prayers for all passengers and their families.
Aviation Accident Mid-Air Collision Search Rescue Reagan National Airport Federal Aviation Administration Sikorsky Black Hawk
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