American Airlines Flight Collides with Army Black Hawk Helicopter, Crashes into Potomac River

ARLINGTON, Va. — A tragic midair collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred late Wednesday night over Washington, D.C., resulting in the aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. The passenger jet, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 operating as American Airlines Flight 5342, was approaching Reagan National Airport when the accident took place.

Authorities confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on board the flight from Wichita, Kansas, while the Black Hawk helicopter carried a crew of three soldiers. The crash has led to multiple fatalities, though officials have yet to release an official death toll.

During an early morning press briefing at Reagan National Airport, officials refrained from announcing the number of casualties but acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall described the incident as an “unbearable sorrow.”

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment on whether any bodies had been recovered from the crash site. Meanwhile, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly noted that rescue efforts were proving difficult due to the river’s murky and dark waters, which are approximately eight feet deep at the crash site.

At the time of the crash, approximately 19 other aircraft were rerouted to Dulles International Airport, which is about 20 miles west of Reagan National. Aviation data revealed that 858 flights were scheduled for Wednesday and 869 for Thursday at Reagan National, which will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. ET Thursday.

Chief Donnelly emphasized the hazardous conditions for search and rescue teams, describing the presence of wind, ice, and limited visibility. “The water is dark, it is murky, and that is a very tough condition for divers,” he explained. Officials expect recovery efforts to take multiple days, with investigations likely to extend even longer.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team to investigate the collision. The agency, which specializes in probing aviation accidents, is expected to analyze air traffic control communications, radar data, and aircraft debris to determine the cause of the disaster.

Team USA figure skater Luke Wang revealed on social media that skaters and coaches were among the passengers on the ill-fated flight. “Praying for all those on the flight from Wichita to D.C. Absolutely heartbreaking,” he wrote in an X post.

The City of Wichita will hold a media briefing at 8 a.m. Thursday at City Hall. Officials are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with federal agencies. The briefing will be live-streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.

A city-wide prayer vigil is scheduled for noon Thursday at the Wichita City Council Chambers, organized by the Kansas Aviation Museum.

A media briefing will be held at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday January 29 in the first floor board room of City Hall, 455 N. Main. City staff continue to monitor the situation in Washington, D.C. Families seeking more information should contact American Airlines directly at…

— Wichita Airport ICT (@FlyICT) January 30, 2025

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the tragedy through a post on Truth Social, calling it a “terrible night.” He criticized the circumstances leading up to the crash, questioning why the helicopter did not alter its course. “The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing—why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn?” he wrote.

Emergency care providers in the D.C. region reported that they had not received any patients from the crash as of late Wednesday night. Inova Fairfax, VHC Health, and MedStar Health confirmed their readiness to handle victims but stated they had not yet admitted any passengers or crew members.

Less than 30 seconds before the collision, air traffic control recordings captured controllers asking the Black Hawk crew if they had the approaching plane in sight. The helicopter crew responded, confirming that they saw the aircraft and requested “visual separation,” a maneuver that allows closer proximity when pilots have each other in sight.

Controllers granted the request. Approximately 20 seconds later, an emergency transmission was heard, followed by immediate diversions of other aircraft from the crash site.

The U.S. Army identified the helicopter as a UH-60 Black Hawk stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Officials confirmed that three soldiers were on board conducting a routine training mission at the time of the accident.

Wichita National Airport has activated an emergency response team to assist families awaiting news about their loved ones. Jesse Romo, the airport’s director, described the situation as “devastating” and acknowledged that family members of those aboard the American Airlines flight were already at the airport seeking updates.

American Airlines has also provided a dedicated hotline (800-679-8215) for those who believe their loved ones may have been on Flight 5342.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed to CNN that fatalities have been recorded, and several bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River. However, as of early Thursday morning, no survivors had been rescued from the wreckage. The plane was described as being in pieces, with the helicopter also submerged in the river.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office has dispatched its National Capital Response Squad to assist local and federal agencies in the ongoing investigation.

This is the first fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline since 2009, highlighting the rarity and severity of the incident.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that Maryland State Police divers have been deployed to assist in the search and recovery operations. The state’s Department of Emergency Management has also raised its Emergency Operations Center to an “Enhanced” status.

Several helicopters, including those from the U.S. Park Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police, were seen hovering over the Potomac River, while fireboats from D.C. Fire and EMS worked at the crash site.

American Airlines expressed its deep concern for the passengers and crew of Flight 5342. “We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts,” the airline stated. Family members seeking updates were urged to call the airline’s hotline.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also addressed the tragedy, extending support to the victims’ families and the entire community affected by the accident.

This catastrophic accident has shaken the nation, particularly the aviation and military communities. As investigations continue, authorities are working tirelessly to determine the cause of the midair collision and bring closure to the families of those affected. The coming days will be crucial in uncovering the full details behind this devastating tragedy.