American Airlines jet collides with military helicopter near D.C. airport

Emergency Response to Plane Crash in Washington D.C.

A view of emergency response looking from Arlington, Va., south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, across the Potomac River toward the District of Columbia, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

An American Airlines regional jet with 64 people aboard collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter moments before the airplane was set to land at Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The accident appeared to be the worst air disaster in the U.S. in more than 15 years.

Details of the Accident

American Eagle Flight 5342, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jetliner, was on approach into the airport’s Runway 33 when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter at around 9 p.m. ET. The flight was arriving from Wichita, Kansas and was flying at an altitude of about 300 feet at the time of the collision, according to FlightRadar24.

Response and Investigation

Reagan Washington National was closed Wednesday through at least 11 a.m. ET Thursday. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, with a focus on determining the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Reactions and Statements

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the accident a "tragedy" in a press conference. "Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft," American Airlines said in a statement. "We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts."

Casualties and Rescues

Both aircraft were in the cold waters of the Potomac River, and rescue workers were facing challenging conditions like high wind. The U.S. Army confirmed that the second aircraft was an Army helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, saying in a statement: "We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available." Officials declined to address casualties during the press conference, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Conclusion

The incident has left many questions unanswered, and the investigation is ongoing. The U.S. has had a long stretch without fatal commercial airline crashes. The last U.S. commercial passenger airline crash occurred in February 2009 when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a house as it was arriving in Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in the accident?
A: An American Airlines regional jet collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter moments before landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Q: How many people were on board the plane?
A: 64 people, including 60 passengers and four crew members.

Q: What was the condition of the weather at the time of the accident?
A: The weather was windy, with challenging conditions for rescue workers.

Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident, with a focus on determining the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Q: What is the condition of the pilot and crew?
A: The condition of the pilot and crew is unknown at this time.