Helicopter, passenger plane collide near Washington DC; 18 bodies recovered
What's the story
A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, flying for American Airlines, collided with a Blackhawk military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, which took place around 9:00pm local time as the jet, Flight 5342, was preparing to land on Runway 33. So far, 18 bodies have been recovered, US media reported.
Casualties unconfirmed
Casualties yet to be confirmed, investigation underway
The commercial plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crewmembers, per CBS News. Senator Ted Cruz took to social media to express his concern, saying "While we don't yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities." The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a thorough investigation into this tragic event. An observation camera at the Kennedy Center captured two sets of lights followed by a fireball in the sky.
Operations halted
Airport operations suspended, President Trump informed
The plane crashed in the Potomac River, which runs through DC. After the incident, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were temporarily suspended. The airport confirmed that emergency personnel are responding to "an aircraft incident on the airfield." Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has briefed President Donald Trump about the situation. She told Fox News, "And tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA airport right here in Washington, DC."
Twitter Post
Visuals of the collision
🚨BREAKING: American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas has crashed into a helicopter while landing at Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC#potomac #PotomacRiver pic.twitter.com/Ddq1qwa25S
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) January 30, 2025
Details
3 US Army soldiers were onboard the Black Hawk helicopter
According to reports from US media, the crashed American Airlines plane is split in half in the Potomac River, with boats and divers looking for survivors. While the helicopter involved in the disaster is near the plane and upside down in the water. A Defense Department official informed CBS News that the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers but no senior officials.