Passenger Jet Crashes into Potomac River Near Washington D.C. After Colliding with Military Helicopter
A fatal aircraft accident occurred Wednesday evening as a regional passenger jet struck a military helicopter before crashing into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport while descending.
The Plane Crash aircraft, American Eagle Flight 5342, was operated by PSA Airlines under American Airlines. It took off from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. The plane collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which was on a training mission. The Black Hawk, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, reportedly had three soldiers onboard, though no senior officials were among them.
Context and Implications
It involved massive rescues with hundreds of firemen and the local dive team. Plane Crash The confirmed General President of the International Association of Firefighters, Edward Kelly admitted body recoveries of people within water, although a survivor yet has not emerged. United States Senator Ted Cruz said that his understanding of news was: “We know there are fatalities and that more confirmation is awaited thereafter.”.
All takeoffs and landings are Plane Crash halted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport until Thursday morning in order to carry out rescue operations.
President Donald Trump stated, “His thoughts are with those affected” after being briefed on the incident. He further elaborated by commending the work of emergency responders who attended to this tragedy as “something that should have been prevented.”.
American Airlines has provided a specific helpline to the flying families of the passengers on board Flight 5342 and is extending help and information.
Plane Crash Before even initiating an inquiry process, NTSB and FAA are raising questions about what could have led to the collision of two midair aircraft. The subsequent debate presents a very good opportunity for discussing airspace management coordination between military and civilian aircraft.
This catastrophe clearly underlines the need for proper safety measures so that such catastrophes never occur again.
On January 30, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The collision occurred at around 9 p.m. as the Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. There were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft from Wichita, Kansas.
Collision Details
The Federal Aviation Administration Plane Crash said it was a midair collision between Flight 5342 and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. The helicopter was a Bravo Company aircraft from the 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir. The helicopter was on a routine training mission. An EarthCam video of the Kennedy Center caught a fiery explosion upon the collision between the two aircraft, and they both crashed into the Potomac River.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Emergency response teams mounting search and rescue quickly were D.C. Fire and EMS. Estimated 300 members were involved amid prevailing low temperatures and gusting winds. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says the immediate concern of her department was rescue of the surviving passengers and the crew stranded on the water bodies but would not comment on casualties.
Plane Crash According to statements by American Airlines CEO Robert Isom in the video, deep concern over this incident has moved the company toward declaring full cooperation with the NTSB. He said in a statement: “Anything we can do, we are doing, and right now, that means focusing on taking care of all passengers and crew involved as well as their families.”
Plane Crash
The Plane Crash NTSB, in collaboration with the FAA, has now opened up a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collision. This is the first complete loss of a commercial aircraft over U.S. soil since 2009, and it is relatively rare and grave.
On the Plane Crash rare occurrence of a midair collision, especially in controlled airspace near big airports, the community follows the investigation because it will provide answers to prevent future tragedies. Hence, the accident has brought to the front issues concerning air traffic control procedures, military versus civilian aircraft flight coordination, and well-rounded practices on safety for aviation systems.
Detour set up in D.C. during day-long closure after commercial jet crashes into Potomac River
Ciara Wells | ciara
A PSA Airlines plane collided midair Wednesday evening with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as the plane prepared to land at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
The FAA said the two planes collided about 9 p.m. as the plane approached Runway 33.
The flight — operated by PSA for American Airlines — departed from Wichita, Kansas, around 5:20 p.m., the FAA said in a statement. American Airlines said it was aware of the incident and confirmed there were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the CRJ700 series aircraft.
Three Army soldiers were on board the Black Hawk helicopter conducting a standard training flight, officials said.
It is not known at this time how many people were injured in the crash.
Plane Crash “We’re in rescue mode,” Jack Potter, president and CEO of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said at a press conference at Reagan National.
Potter said a total of 19 aircraft were diverted to Dulles International Airport. Reagan National will be closed until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30.
Plane Crash Earlier video from a security camera above the Kennedy Center shows the moment in which two pairs of lights, moving like those of an airplane, appeared to explode.
First Plane Crash responders came from around the D.C. region, including emergency personnel from Fairfax and Montgomery counties, according to WTOP’s Mike Murillo.
“I’ve done this for 20 years — I have not seen this many first responders surrounding the entire Potomac River. It’s lit up on the D.C. side,” Murillo said, reporting from Daingerfield Island. “They’re calling in every resource they have here tonight.”.
Describing the first response scene, Murillo said that helicopters can be seen flashing lights downwards towards the water near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and added that there were three to four areas being searched along the Potomac River by authorities.
“Now, it’s unclear what they’re doing at each site due to the distance. I can’t really tell. It could be where they’re letting boats into the water. But, in some spots, you’re seeing so many emergency vehicles in one spot — it would just seem that there’s also search and recovery going on there as well,” Murillo said.
As operations continue, cold water warnings issued by the National Weather Service remain in effect. Temperature readings at the Potomac River ranged around 35 degrees on Wednesday.
The agency warned sudden immersion in water temperatures like these could cause cold shock, which can prompt immediate panic, a spike in heart rate and heighten the risk of heart failure.
John Donnelly, chief of D.C. Fire and EMS, said about 300 first responders were working the scene.
“It’s a Plane Crash highly complex operation,” Donnelly said. “The conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It’s cold. They’re dealing with relatively windy conditions. Wind is hard out on the river.”
“It’s eerie, too. You’re right here next to Reagan National Airport. It’s quiet. Nothing,” Murillo said, describing the scene.
“You can see the roads along the river. And, while George Washington Memorial Parkway is still open, there’s not a lot of cars on it. There’s a lot of ramps, too, being blocked by police. They want to make sure these first responders can get to where they need to go, right. They might have to go into the water different areas if these helicopters spot something in the water.”
Just hours after the incident, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts are with all those affected; we will update the public regularly as more information becomes available.
President Donald Trump also added that he was “fully briefed on this terrible incident.” He also questioned why air traffic officials did not “tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane.”
Plane Crash Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the state’s Department of Emergency Management has raised it emergency operations to “Enhanced” status in support and other departments have deployed divers and police to assist with rescue missions.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also said he’d been briefed by his Emergency Management team and the Virginia State Police. “Extensive resources are fully supporting the search and rescue efforts,” he wrote in a post on X.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she was “actively in contact with authorities,” and that she would “share more information as it becomes available.”
The FAA and NTSB will conduct the investigation of the midair collision, NTSB leading the investigation.
American Airlines is Plane Crash asking that anyone who may have had loved ones on the plane to call 800-679-8215.
conclusion
The investigation is underway, Plane Crash and the authorities will continue to share findings and recommendations on safety measures. All focus remains on helping the affected families and determining what could have caused this disaster. The aviation industry, along with the public, awaits detailed insight to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.