Passenger plane collides with military helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Video of the collision

Washington, D.C. – On January 29 a mid-air collision occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700 operated by PSA for American Airlines, and a United States Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both the passenger plane and the helicopter crashed into the Potomac River, located just outside the U.S. capital, Washington D.C. Officials said there were no survivors.

The CRJ700, originating from Wichita, Kansas, and carrying 64 individuals, was on approach to Reagan National Airport when it collided with the military helicopter. Both aircraft immediately descended into the Potomac River. Emergency response teams, including fireboats, from the surrounding areas were promptly dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations. The wreckage of both the plane and helicopter were found in the river.

The incident was captured on airport security camera footage. Witnesses recounted seeing “streams of sparks” and that something looked “very, very wrong.” Another witness recounted seeing a “white flare.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the collision. The FAA also reported that Reagan National Airport would be closed until 5 AM on January 30 as a result of the accident.

U.S. President, Donald Trump was briefed on the accident and issued a statement: “May God Bless their souls. […] Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders.” He later declared on his owned app, Truth Social, “This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

U.S. Vice President, J.D. Vance also addressed the incident, saying in a social media post, “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.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that his department was assessing the situation. He said, “we will take appropriate action if necessary […] There will be a review of what happened here tonight.” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom gave his condolences in a video that appeared on the company’s website.

The most recent similar event in the US involved Colgan Air Flight 3407 in 2009.

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