A large search-and-rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport after a passenger jet and military helicopter collided midair Wednesday night.Officials, during a news conference early Thursday morning, offered few details on the status of the victims. They did not announce any deaths, but they all had a somber tone.“We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a somber news conference at the airport Thursday morning in which she declined to say how many bodies had been recovered. Asked if there are any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, responded: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”The Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.What we know:A passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 8:48 p.m.There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the plane.There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.There are currently about 300 responders working on the rescue operation President Donald Trump has been briefed on “the terrible accident,” adding, “I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”Washington’s Reagan National Airport will remain closed until 11 a.m. EST Thursday.The Army helicopter that collided with the jet was on a training flight. There were three soldiers on board. Fire and EMS chief says search-and-rescue efforts are focusing on the waters of the Potomac and that the effort will take days.Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members, according to U.S. Figure Skating.The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair crash occurred around 8:48 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter on a training flight while on approach to an airport runway. It occurred in some of the most tightly controlled and monitored airspace in the world, just over three miles south of the White House and the Capitol.Video below: See the first news conference after the plane crash American Airlines confirmed the crash in a statement, adding that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board.”American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700,” the statement said. “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement. The U.S. Army described the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. A crew of three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. The helicopter was on a training flight.Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Video below shows plane collide with helicopter over Potomac River. Mayor Bowser said first responders from across the region are conducting a rescue operation in dark and cold conditions.DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said an alert was called at 8:48 p.m. for a large regional response for a plane crash. The first units arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later and began rescue operations. He said approximately 300 first responders are working in a search-and-rescue operation, and that they are dealing with extremely rough and cold conditions.Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport, and first responders set up light towers from the shore to illuminate the area near the collision site. At least a half-dozen boats were scanning the water using searchlights.The mayor declined to comment on the condition of the aircraft.Video below: Watch as crews remove debris from Potomac River after plane, helicopter crashInvestigators will try to piece together the aircrafts’ final moments before their collision, including contact with air traffic controllers as well as a loss of altitude by the passenger jet.A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National, and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.The plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.Video below: Witness describes seeing DC plane and helicopter collisionThe Hearst Television National Investigative Unit reviewed the final approach of the American Airlines plane, noting that it was east of common flight paths and the runway, crossing over the Potomac River, which often has heavy military and law enforcement helicopter traffic at all hours.The Investigative Unit also found that at its last tracking point, the plane was at an altitude of less than 300 feet, going 128 miles per hour.The collision occurred on a warm winter evening in Washington, with temperatures registering as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, following a stretch days earlier of intense cold and ice. On Wednesday, the Potomac River was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The National Weather Service reported that wind gusts of up to 25 mph were possible in the area throughout the evening.President Donald Trump released a statement Wednesday night.“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,” Trump said.Additionally, Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on the social media platform X to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”The crash is serving as a major test for two of the Trump administration’s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that his department was “actively monitoring” the situation that involved an Army helicopter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that her department is “deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA.”Officials, during the press conference early Thursday morning, offered support to the families of those who were in the aircraft.”We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who are impacted by the events tonight, their families. We know that this is a difficult time for them,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.Both senators from Kansas, where the flight departed from, spoke during the news conference.”It’s very personal,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, who chairs a subcommittee on aviation. “I know that flight. I’ve flown it many times myself. I lobbied American Airlines to begin having direct, nonstop flight service to DCA. That flight has been in existence for about a year, and it’s certainly true that in Kansas, in Wichita in particular, we’re going to know people on that flight.””I want the folks back home to know that we care, we love them, and this is a time when we’ll have to join arms together and help each other out. We’ve been through things like this before — tornadoes, floods and things — but it’s really hard when you lose 60 people simultaneously,” said U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas.In a statement, American Airlines said those who believe they may have loved ones on board Flight 5342 can call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.Reagan Airport will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced. The FAA has previously said it would be closed until 5 a.m. Friday.Located along the Potomac River, just southwest of the city. Reagan National is a popular choice because it’s much closer than the larger Dulles International Airport, which is deeper in Virginia.Depending on the runway being used, flights into Reagan can offer passengers spectacular views of landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It’s a postcard-worthy welcome for tourists visiting the city.The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on Jan. 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. That crash was attributed to bad weather. The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occured in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.
A large search-and-rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport after a passenger jet and military helicopter collided midair Wednesday night.
Officials, during a news conference early Thursday morning, offered few details on the status of the victims. They did not announce any deaths, but they all had a somber tone.
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“We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a somber news conference at the airport Thursday morning in which she declined to say how many bodies had been recovered.
Asked if there are any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, responded: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
The Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.
What we know:
- A passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter at Ronald Reagan National Airport around 8:48 p.m.
- There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the plane.
- There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.
- There are currently about 300 responders working on the rescue operation
- President Donald Trump has been briefed on “the terrible accident,” adding, “I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
- Washington’s Reagan National Airport will remain closed until 11 a.m. EST Thursday.
- The Army helicopter that collided with the jet was on a training flight. There were three soldiers on board.
- Fire and EMS chief says search-and-rescue efforts are focusing on the waters of the Potomac and that the effort will take days.
- Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair crash occurred around 8:48 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military helicopter on a training flight while on approach to an airport runway. It occurred in some of the most tightly controlled and monitored airspace in the world, just over three miles south of the White House and the Capitol.
Video below: See the first news conference after the plane crash
American Airlines confirmed the crash in a statement, adding that there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board.
“American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA. The flight was operated by PSA Airlines with a CRJ-700,” the statement said. “Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.”
Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement.
The U.S. Army described the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. A crew of three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said. The helicopter was on a training flight.
Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Video below shows plane collide with helicopter over Potomac River.
Mayor Bowser said first responders from across the region are conducting a rescue operation in dark and cold conditions.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said an alert was called at 8:48 p.m. for a large regional response for a plane crash. The first units arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later and began rescue operations. He said approximately 300 first responders are working in a search-and-rescue operation, and that they are dealing with extremely rough and cold conditions.
Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River from a point along the George Washington Parkway, just north of the airport, and first responders set up light towers from the shore to illuminate the area near the collision site. At least a half-dozen boats were scanning the water using searchlights.
The mayor declined to comment on the condition of the aircraft.
Video below: Watch as crews remove debris from Potomac River after plane, helicopter crash
Investigators will try to piece together the aircrafts’ final moments before their collision, including contact with air traffic controllers as well as a loss of altitude by the passenger jet.
A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National, and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight. The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.” Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.
The plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.
Video below: Witness describes seeing DC plane and helicopter collision
The Hearst Television National Investigative Unit reviewed the final approach of the American Airlines plane, noting that it was east of common flight paths and the runway, crossing over the Potomac River, which often has heavy military and law enforcement helicopter traffic at all hours.
The Investigative Unit also found that at its last tracking point, the plane was at an altitude of less than 300 feet, going 128 miles per hour.
The collision occurred on a warm winter evening in Washington, with temperatures registering as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, following a stretch days earlier of intense cold and ice. On Wednesday, the Potomac River was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The National Weather Service reported that wind gusts of up to 25 mph were possible in the area throughout the evening.
President Donald Trump released a statement Wednesday night.
“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,” Trump said.
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance encouraged followers on the social media platform X to “say a prayer for everyone involved.”
The crash is serving as a major test for two of the Trump administration’s newest agency leaders. Pete Hegseth, sworn in days ago as defense secretary, posted on social media that his department was “actively monitoring” the situation that involved an Army helicopter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, just sworn in earlier this week, said in a social media post that he was “at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that her department is “deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA.”
Officials, during the press conference early Thursday morning, offered support to the families of those who were in the aircraft.
“We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to those individuals who are impacted by the events tonight, their families. We know that this is a difficult time for them,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
Both senators from Kansas, where the flight departed from, spoke during the news conference.
“It’s very personal,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, who chairs a subcommittee on aviation. “I know that flight. I’ve flown it many times myself. I lobbied American Airlines to begin having direct, nonstop flight service to DCA. That flight has been in existence for about a year, and it’s certainly true that in Kansas, in Wichita in particular, we’re going to know people on that flight.”
“I want the folks back home to know that we care, we love them, and this is a time when we’ll have to join arms together and help each other out. We’ve been through things like this before — tornadoes, floods and things — but it’s really hard when you lose 60 people simultaneously,” said U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas.
In a statement, American Airlines said those who believe they may have loved ones on board Flight 5342 can call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.
Reagan Airport will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced. The FAA has previously said it would be closed until 5 a.m. Friday.
Located along the Potomac River, just southwest of the city. Reagan National is a popular choice because it’s much closer than the larger Dulles International Airport, which is deeper in Virginia.
Depending on the runway being used, flights into Reagan can offer passengers spectacular views of landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. It’s a postcard-worthy welcome for tourists visiting the city.
The incident recalled the crash of an Air Florida flight that plummeted into the Potomac on Jan. 13, 1982, that killed 78 people. That crash was attributed to bad weather.
The last fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occured in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. Everyone aboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane was killed, including 45 passengers, 2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. Another person on the ground also died, bringing the total death toll to 50. An investigation determined that the captain accidentally caused the plane to stall as it approached the airport in Buffalo.
