American Airlines Flight Collides With Military Helicopter Near DC Airport In Likely Mass-Casualty Event
All flights were halted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) just outside Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night after a commercial aircraft crashed with a military helicopter.
Following the crash, the airport halted all takeoffs and landings as emergency personnel arrived on the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement identifying the aircraft and helicopter.
“A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to runway 33 … around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”
Video captured by EarthCam and its affiliate, The Kennedy Center, captured the moment that the plane collided with the helicopter.
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NBC News reports that “at least four survivors have been taken to North Boathouse Fire Station at Reagan National Airport.”
According to American Airlines, there were 60 passengers and 4 crew on the plane.
President Donald Trump released a statement following the crash: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
The DC Fire and EMS Department posted on X: “Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene.”
Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene. #DCsBravest
— DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) January 30, 2025
A joint statement from Metropolitan Police Department, DC Fire, and EMS shortly after news broke of the crash confirmed that a search and rescue operation was underway in the Potomac River, but there was “no confirmed information on casualties…”
Joint MPD and @dcfireems statement on current search and rescue operation underway in the Potomac River. pic.twitter.com/jlyUs0m8Ho
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) January 30, 2025
Video from the incident showed a large presence of first responders on scene.
#Breaking DC Fire and EMS confirms a small aircraft is down in the Potomac River in the vicinity of Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene. All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The… pic.twitter.com/aGisrUj6ug
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) January 30, 2025
NBC News reports that a senior FBI official said “there is no indication of any criminality or terrorism in the crash.”