A mid-air collision between a US passenger jet and a military helicopter sent shockwaves through the nation’s capital on Wednesday as a desperate search for survivors ensued.
The plane, operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, was approaching Reagan National Airport at around 9:00 pm when the collision occurred.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
“We’re deeply saddened by this tragic event,” said American Airlines’ chief executive in a video statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected.”
A US Army official confirmed that the helicopter involved was a Black Hawk carrying three soldiers, whose status remains unknown. The helicopter was on a night training exercise when the collision happened.
Search and Rescue Underway
Washington police said there was no confirmed information on casualties at the time. Still, a massive search and rescue operation was underway. Divers were visible in the glare of powerful lights as they plunged into the snow-lined Potomac River to scour the wreckage of both aircraft.
“We’re going to be out there as long as it takes, and we’re obviously trying to get to people as soon as possible,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters.
Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly described the conditions as “extremely rough” and gave little indication that they expected to find anyone alive. “We will re-evaluate where we are with the rescue operation in the morning,” Donnelly said.
Witness Ari Schulman, who saw the collision, described a “stream of sparks” overhead. “It looked like a Roman candle,” he told reporters.
President Donald Trump criticized air traffic control in his statement on the Truth Social platform. “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.“
NTSB Begins Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the grounding of all planes at Reagan National Airport, which was not due to reopen until 11:00 am Thursday.t.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash.
A plane and a helicopter collided mid-air near DCA airport in Washington DC. Initial reports indicate that the plane, AA5342, crashed into the Potomac River. Flight tracking data shows the plane did not reach the runway and was last recorded over the river. pic.twitter.com/08EMyJbmoL
— Art Network USA (@ArtNetworkUSA) January 30, 2025
Questions are expected to focus on how a passenger plane with modern collision-avoidance technology and nearby traffic controllers could collide with a military aircraft over the nation’s capital. The airspace around Washington is often crowded, with planes coming in low over the city to land at Reagan Airport.
The last major fatal US air accident was in 2009, when Continental Flight 3407 from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York, crashed and killed all 49 people aboard.
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