Dozens of people are feared dead following a catastrophic collision between a Blackhawk military helicopter and an American Airlines passenger plane last night. The incident led to the immediate closure of all runways, with take-offs and landings being suspended at DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, close to Washington DC.
The FAA confirmed that American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter tragically collided mid-flight on approach to the runway at Reagan National Airport. .
Reacting to the disaster, Donald Trump suggested it could have been avoided, stating: "Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD! ! ! ".
An Army official reported to members of the press that an Army Blackhawk involved was on a training mission when the incident occurred within some of the most secure and heavily surveilled airspace in the world, located approximately three miles south of the White House and Capitol. .
Current reports indicate that 18 victims have so far been recovered from the scene, and the toll is expected to climb. Senator Ted Cruz earlier mentioned, "While we don't yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities.", reports the Mirror.
The prospects of finding any survivors remain unclear.
NBC has relayed that around 60 passengers and four crew members were on the American Airlines flight when it was involved in a calamitous event, reported to be split in two and currently submersed in approximately seven feet of water. The other vehicle involved, a helicopter, is in a precarious state upside down, unstable in the choppage where divers are yet to gain access.
Three soldiers were reportedly aboard the Blackhawk helicopter caught up in the incident. US President Donald Trump is being kept in the loop as the situation unfolds.
The FBI has informed journalists that there appears to be no signs suggesting any criminal or terror-related activities linked to the crash.
There's footage from a webcam at the Kennedy Center that captured the horrifying moment of collision, showing an explosion mid-air above the Potomac River. In light of this incident, all flights at the airport have been momentarily grounded as detailed by the statement: "All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a statement clarifying: "A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9pm local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas."
Investigations are underway led by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with the latter spearheading the investigations. They have communicated their commitment to provide updates as more details become available.
It's noted that Sikorsky H-60s encompass a well-known series of military helicopters produced by Sikorsky Aircraft, including the prominent Blackhawk and Seahawk models. .
The press secretary for US President Donald Trump has announced that a military helicopter has collided with a regional jet close to DCA airport, stating that the President has been briefed and will continue to monitor events. She offered sympathy on behalf of the administration, saying: "I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump administration are with all those that are involved."
Later, in an expanded statement, President Trump responded: "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."
Additionally, JD Vance, the Vice President, expressed his thoughts on Twitter: "Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We're monitoring the situation, but for now let's hope for the best."
Ted Cruz, a US Senator, appeared to confirm the loss of lives in this incident, saying: "I am closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and I will receive a briefing from the FAA tomorrow. While we don't yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities. Please join Heidi and me in praying for all involved as the search and rescue is underway."
As part of the ongoing search efforts, a video has surfaced showing a helicopter scanning the river for those affected in the accident. American Airlines released a statement regarding an incident involving one of its flights, saying: "We're aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. We will provide information as it becomes available."
It is believed that at least one of the aircraft ended up in the river.
According to air traffic control recordings at the time of the event, a controller questioned if the helicopter had visual contact with the passenger plane, asking: "PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight," shortly before the supposed collision occurred. Another pilot alerted the tower with "Tower did you see that? " moments after the crash was first noticed.
The tower acted promptly to reroute other planes away from Reagan Airport. The DC Police Department stated: "MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding."
They also confirmed that their helicopter was not part of the incident and was aiding in the coordinated rescue efforts: "MPD's helicopter is NOT involved in this incident and is currently assisting in the multi-agency response. A multi-agency search and rescue operation is underway in the Potomac River after aircraft crash. Updates to follow."
Emergency services have mounted extensive operations following the crash, with the stricken aircraft thought to be in the Potomac River.
Rescuers, using inflatable boats launched from near the venue of the accident, are said to have located victims.
The DC Fire Department took to Twitter to report that they suspect a collision occurred around 9pm local time involving a small aircraft plunging into the water. Swiftly, fireboats surged to the scene, supported by various teams including the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Furthermore, DC Fire and EMS reported: "Confirmed small aircraft down in Potomac River vicinity Reagan National Airport. Fireboats on scene."
US Senator Jerry Moran offered an update on social media, commenting: "Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities. Please join me in praying for all involved."
The backdrop of the accident saw several helicopters, belonging to the US Park Police, DC Metropolitan Police Department, and US military circulate above the site at the Potomac River, with DC Fire and EMS confirming the presence of fireboats attending to the situation.
An observation camera positioned at the nearby Kennedy Center picked up footage illustrating two light formations, akin to aircraft, merging in what seems to be an explosion. Reagan National Airport announced that its emergency teams were handling "an aircraft incident on the airfield."
Investigators are working to unravel the circumstances that led up to the mid-air collision, focusing on the dialogue with air traffic control and the passenger jet's abrupt descent. American Airlines Flight 5342 was nearing Reagan National, flying at approximately 400 feet with a speed of about 140 miles per hour, when it experienced a sudden loss of altitude above the Potomac River, as indicated by its radio transponder data.
The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet, crafted in 2004, is designed to seat up to 70 passengers. Shortly before its planned landing, air traffic controllers proposed the commercial jet land on the shorter Runway 33, to which the pilots agreed, prompting controllers to give the go-ahead for that runway.
Flight tracking websites displayed the jet adjusting its course accordingly. In the tragic final moments before the crash, an air traffic controller queried the helicopter whether it had visual contact with the incoming aircraft.
Following shortly after, the controller instructed the helicopter: "PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ."
Merely seconds later, the catastrophic collision occurred. The plane's radio transponder ceased transmitting around 2,400 feet from the runway, near the midpoint of the river.
The US Army identified the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, stating that three soldiers were aboard during a training flight.
The recent air accident is proving to be a significant challenge for two freshly appointed leaders within the Trump administration. Pete Hegseth, who has just taken oath as defense secretary, took to social media to declare that his department was "actively monitoring" the incident which involved an Army helicopter.
New Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, sworn in earlier this week, expressed via a social media update that he was "at the FAA HQ and closely monitoring the situation."
As a result of the crash, operations at Reagan National Airport were scheduled to halt until 5 am on Friday. Situated along the Potomac River, southwest of the city's heart, Reagan National is a favoured airport for its proximity compared to the further-flung Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
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