American Airlines Flight and Military Helicopter Collide in Sky Over D.C., Mass Casualties Expected
The American Airlines flight carried 60 passengers and 4 crew members. The helicopter was reported to be manned by 3 crew members.
11:53 PM: Based on reports and scanner activity, it appears that the bodies recovered from the Potomac River did not survive the crash. Scanner activity indicates that some recovered bodies were military personnel. Latest reports indicate that the U.S. Army Helicopter was on a training flight.
11:40 PM: 19 people have been recovered from the Potomac River as rescue efforts continue.
11:07 PM: Family members looking to check on their loved ones who may have been travelling from Wichita to Washington D.C. can call the American Airlines hotline at (800) 679-8215. It is reported that at least four people were pulled from the water as rescue efforts continue.
A catastrophic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night has halted air traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and prompted an extensive emergency response.
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. local time as both aircraft were approaching Runway 33. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the commercial jet involved was a PSA Airlines-operated Bombardier CRJ700, designated as American Eagle Flight 5342, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas. The other aircraft was identified as a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter operated by the U.S. Army.
Following the collision, the CRJ700 crashed into the Potomac River, triggering an urgent search and rescue effort. Emergency response teams, including fireboats from the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, were dispatched to the scene. Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of casualties or survivors, and efforts remain ongoing to locate passengers and crew members.
In response to the disaster, all takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport were immediately suspended. While the airport's terminal remains open, flight operations are on hold as emergency personnel and investigators work at the crash site.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations to determine the cause of the collision. The NTSB is leading the effort, with American Airlines confirming its cooperation with authorities to gather information.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation, and the Metropolitan Police Department is coordinating with multiple agencies in the ongoing search and rescue operation. Officials have not yet provided details on what led to the collision or whether there were any distress signals before impact.
The airspace around Reagan National Airport remains restricted, and passengers with scheduled flights are advised to check with their airlines for updates. The grounding of flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports is expected to cause significant disruptions in air travel along the East Coast.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.