Passenger jet collides with Black Hawk helicopter while landing at Washington DC

A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway after a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided with a helicopter carrying three U.S. Army personnel over Washington D.C., and crashed into the river. The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, flying from Wichita, Kansas, to the city, collided in mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter shortly before 9 p.m. local time.

According to U.S. Department of Defense officials, the plane was approaching the runway at Reagan Airport at the time. The airline told CNN that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board when the plane crashed. There were three crew members on board the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, with no VIPs on board. Senior Army officials often use Black Hawk helicopters to travel in the Washington D.C. area. There are no confirmed reports of casualties at this time.

Washington D.C. police stated that the plane crashed into the near-freezing waters of the Potomac River. "A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway on the Potomac River after the plane crash," police said. Dozens of firefighters and police are conducting diving operations at the plane crash site in the Potomac River. "Search and rescue efforts are underway on the Potomac River," Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said on X, "They are doing everything they can to bring survivors to safety. Our prayers are with all those affected."

According to transponder data, American Airlines Flight 5342 was flying toward Reagan National Airport at an altitude of about 120 meters and a speed of about 225 kilometers per hour when it experienced a rapid descent over the Potomac River. The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the jet collided with the helicopter in mid-air. "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at approximately 9 p.m. local time while approaching Runway 33 at Washington Reagan National Airport," the FAA said in a statement. "PSA operates Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which originated from Wichita, Kansas."

Fireboats are on the scene assisting with the search and rescue. The crash has suspended all takeoffs and landings at Ronald Reagan International Airport. "Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident at the airport," the airport wrote in a statement on X. "The terminals remain open. Updates will follow." American Airlines confirmed that a flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington D.C. was involved in an incident. In audio from the air traffic control tower at the time of the crash, a controller can be heard asking the helicopter, "PAT25, do you see the CRJ?", referring to the passenger jet. "Tower, did you see that?" another pilot shouted seconds after the apparent collision. The tower immediately began diverting other aircraft away from Reagan Airport.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was fully briefed on the "terrible accident." "May God bless their souls," he said in a statement. "Thank you to our first responders for the incredible work they are doing. I am monitoring the situation closely and will provide more details." White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said federal and local agencies have acted quickly. "There are many agencies responding to this now, and federal and local law enforcement are working together on the ground to save as many lives as possible, and the President will continue to monitor the situation," she said. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those involved."

Vice President JD Vance called for national unity in prayer as the government monitors the situation. "Please pray for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport tonight. We are monitoring the situation, but for now, let's hope for the best," Vance wrote in a social media post on X. Two senators from Kansas released statements following the crash. "Heartbroken to learn of a plane crash at DCA involving a flight from Kansas," Senator Jerry Moran wrote on X. "I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved." Kansas Senator Roger Marshall added that the inbound flight was from the city of Wichita. The newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation said he is monitoring the situation at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters in Washington D.C. Sean Duffy was just sworn in a few hours ago. "I am on-site at the FAA headquarters, closely monitoring the situation," Duffy posted on X.

The U.S. National Weather Service said the water temperature of the Potomac River is currently just above freezing, at 2 degrees Celsius. "Cold shock can cause an immediate panic, fear or stress response that impairs clear thinking and decision-making," the weather service warned. These responses, coupled with a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, can increase the risk of heart failure or stroke, especially for vulnerable individuals. The incident is reminiscent of the January 13, 1982, crash of a Florida Air flight into the Potomac River that killed 78 people. That crash was blamed on bad weather. The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline was in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. All on board a Bombardier DHC-8 turboprop, including 45 passengers, two pilots and two flight attendants, were killed. Another person on the ground was killed, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain inadvertently stalled the aircraft on approach to Buffalo Airport.