A tragic aviation accident unfolded over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night when a regional American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter collided midair. The incident marks the first major commercial airline crash in the United States since 2009, leaving multiple fatalities and an ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
Law enforcement sources report recovering several bodies from the Potomac River, but they have not found any survivors. PSA Airlines operated American Airlines Flight 5342, which was involved in the collision. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, carried 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash. Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter, a Sikorsky H-60, had three Army soldiers on board and was on a training flight when the accident occurred.
Heather Chairez, spokesperson for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, confirmed that the military aircraft was engaged in a training exercise. The Black Hawk was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, an Army official stated. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that preliminary information suggests the two aircraft collided midair while the regional jet was approaching the airport.
Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the crash site, with multiple agencies participating in the search-and-rescue mission. Given that the water temperature in the Potomac River was around 36 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the crash and the air temperature was 50 degrees with gusty winds between 25 to 30 mph, authorities have expressed concern about survival conditions. American Airlines issued a statement expressing its deep concern for those on board.
President Donald Trump also responded to the tragedy, releasing a statement late Wednesday night. “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident that 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.” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the swift response of emergency teams.
In response to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead in investigating the cause of the collision. The investigators will scrutinize flight data, air traffic control communications, and other critical factors to ascertain how two aircraft ended up on a collision path.
Meanwhile, the FBI Washington Field Office has confirmed that it is deploying its National Capital Response Squad to support law enforcement and public safety partners in managing the situation.
Due to the severity of the crash and ongoing rescue efforts, the FAA has announced that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be closed until at least Friday at 5 a.m. The closure will likely impact travelers and flight schedules, adding another layer of disruption following the tragic incident.
This accident marks a grim milestone, as it is the first major commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people on board. Aviation safety in the United States has seen significant improvements in recent years, making this collision a stark reminder of the importance of continued vigilance in air traffic control and flight operations.
Families of the victims, airline representatives, and government officials are awaiting further updates as the search-and-rescue mission continues. More information will emerge as authorities recover flight recorders and analyze evidence from the crash site.
For now, the nation mourns those lost in this tragic accident, while emergency teams work tirelessly to bring closure to families and uncover the factors that led to this devastating collision.
