A Bombardier CRJ700 with 64 people on board has crashed into the river after a midair collision with a US Army Black Hawk
A regional passenger jet operated by the American Airlines’ subsidiary has collided midair with a US military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on Wednesday night, prompting the suspension of all flights and a large-scale emergency response.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, operating American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter around 9pm local time.
There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, according to American Airlines. The US Army Black Hawk helicopter had a crew of three and was not carrying any VIPs, a US defense official told CNN. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue the search for possible survivors.
Webcam at the Kennedy Center caught an explosion mid-air across the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
“We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA,” newly-appointed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.
🚨 #BREAKING: New angle of the American Airlines plane vs. Blackhawk crash in DC
The Blackhawk sees to be almost TOTALLY dark. pic.twitter.com/C6AXBSeXjZ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 30, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
“Tragically, it appears that a military helicopter collided with a regional jet at DCA Airport right here in Washington, DC,” Leavitt told Fox News. She added that the Trump administration’s “thoughts and prayers” were with those involved and urged the public to follow law enforcement guidance.
NEW HORROR FOOTAGE: Dashcam captures the exact moment of the aircraft crash near Reagan International Airport. pic.twitter.com/4IYHtVMgC4
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 30, 2025
“There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” US Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas said in his statement on X. “My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families.”
For more information, visit https://t.co/ECDOdj1kdr. pic.twitter.com/Z5vWq4vUJ2
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) January 30, 2025
DC Fire and EMS previously said that fireboats and other emergency personnel responding to the scene after a “small aircraft” had gone down in the Potomac River. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) also said that multiple agencies were conducting a search and rescue operation in the river.
“A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after an aircraft crash,” MPD stated on X. The department also clarified that despite initial reports its own helicopter was not involved in the incident, but was assisting in the response efforts.
The airport announced that all takeoffs and landings were halted due to an “aircraft emergency”. However, the terminal remained open to passengers.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties without hindrance.