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What we know and don’t know after plane and military helicopter collide near Reagan National Airport
Updated: 4:01 AM EST Jan 30, 2025
A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday night while landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.Here’s what we know and what we don’t know about the crash. What we knowThe FAA said a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet in mid-air while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport.The crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. ETWashington Reagan National Airport will be closed until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, airport officials said overnight.PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines.There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, according to a statement released late Wednesday by American Airlines.Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members, according to U.S. Figure Skating.Washington, D.C., police said that multiple agencies are conducting a search and rescue effort in the Potomac River.The Black Hawk, carrying a crew of three soldiers, was an Army helicopter that was on a training flight, according to an officialThe helicopter, a UH-60 Blackhawk, was based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. The FAA said the plane departed from Wichita, Kansas.The plane was inbound to the airport at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder.Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to join in a fireball. Related video below: Video shows plane colliding with helicopter over Potomac River. (Some viewers may find content in the video to be disturbing.)Multiple helicopters, including those from the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. military, were flying over the scene of the incident in the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS said on X that fireboats were also on the scene. The crash is under investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.President Donald Trump was briefed. In a statement late Wednesday, Trump thanked first responders for their “incredible work,” noting that he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.” He added, “May God Bless their souls.” 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. The jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers. Video below: Witness describes seeing DC plane and helicopter collisionWhat we don’t knowOfficials have not confirmed how many casualties there are or if there are any survivors, but the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.Officials have also not provided details on what caused the collision that led to the crash.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A passenger jet collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday night while landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Here’s what we know and what we don’t know about the crash.
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What we know
- The FAA said a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet in mid-air while approaching Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport.
- The crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. ET
- Washington Reagan National Airport will be closed until at least 11 a.m. Thursday, airport officials said overnight.
- PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines.
- There were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft, according to a statement released late Wednesday by American Airlines.
- Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
- Washington, D.C., police said that multiple agencies are conducting a search and rescue effort in the Potomac River.
- The Black Hawk, carrying a crew of three soldiers, was an Army helicopter that was on a training flight, according to an official
- The helicopter, a UH-60 Blackhawk, was based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
- The FAA said the plane departed from Wichita, Kansas.
- The plane was inbound to the airport at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder.
- Video from an observation camera at the nearby Kennedy Center shows two sets of lights consistent with aircraft appearing to join in a fireball.
Related video below: Video shows plane colliding with helicopter over Potomac River. (Some viewers may find content in the video to be disturbing.)
- Multiple helicopters, including those from the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. military, were flying over the scene of the incident in the Potomac River. D.C. Fire and EMS said on X that fireboats were also on the scene.
- The crash is under investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
- President Donald Trump was briefed. In a statement late Wednesday, Trump thanked first responders for their “incredible work,” noting that he was “monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.” He added, “May God Bless their souls.”
- 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.
- The jet was manufactured in 2004 and can be configured to carry up to 70 passengers.
Video below: Witness describes seeing DC plane and helicopter collision
What we don’t know
- Officials have not confirmed how many casualties there are or if there are any survivors, but the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit has learned that at least two bodies have been recovered from the river.
- Officials have also not provided details on what caused the collision that led to the crash.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
