A tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter sent both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport late Wednesday night, officials confirmed.
According to The Washington Post, multiple bodies have been recovered from the river. Reuter reported that Senator Ted Cruz of Texas stated on social media that “we know there are fatalities,” but the exact number remains undisclosed.
The PSA Airlines regional jet, operating as American Eagle Flight 5342, was en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) when it collided with the helicopter mid-air. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the collision occurred as the jet was making its approach to the airport.
The passenger jet had 60 passengers, along with two pilots and two crew members on board, an American Airlines source told Reuters. Meanwhile, the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers, according to a U.S. defense official.
Emergency response teams swiftly mobilized as multiple agencies launched a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. Live TV footage showed dozens of police, ambulance, and rescue boats with flashing lights combing the river for survivors.
According to Reuter, at least four people have been pulled alive from the wreckage. However, there is no official confirmation regarding their conditions.
A webcam shot from the Kennedy Center in Washington captured the moment of impact, showing a mid-air explosion at 8:47 PM ET, followed by a fireball as one of the aircraft plunged into the river according to the Reuter.
Reagan National Airport temporarily suspended all takeoffs and landings as emergency personnel responded to the crisis. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that it is gathering further details on the crash.
American Airlines released a statement acknowledging reports of the incident and assured the public that it would provide updates as more information became available.
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This incident adds to a growing list of aviation accidents and near-miss events that have raised concerns about global air safety. Over the past 30 days alone, several major incidents have occurred worldwide:
- United Airlines Flight 613 Incident (January 27, 2025) – A Boeing 787 experienced severe turbulence over Ivory Coast airspace, injuring several passengers and crew.
- Jeju Air Flight 2216 Crash (December 29, 2024) – A Boeing 737-800 overran the runway in South Korea, killing 179 out of 181 passengers.
- Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 Crash (December 25, 2024) – An Embraer 190 crashed during an emergency landing in Kazakhstan, with reports suggesting it was hit by a Russian air defense system.
- Swiss International Air Lines Flight 1885 Diversion (December 23, 2024) – A Bucharest-Zurich Airbus A220 made an emergency landing after cabin smoke filled the aircraft; one crew member later died from injuries.
- Piper PA-42 Cheyenne Crash in Brazil (December 22, 2024) – A small aircraft crashed after takeoff from Canela Airport, killing 10 people and injuring 17 on the ground.
- 20 killed in South Sudan plane crash on Wednesday 29, January 2025
Authorities are now working to determine what caused the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport and whether air traffic control errors, mechanical failure, or pilot miscommunication played a role in the accident.
This developing story continues to highlight urgent concerns in aviation safety, reinforcing the need for rigorous maintenance, stricter safety protocols, and improved air traffic control measures to prevent future tragedies.
Stay tuned to New Daily Prime for updates as more details emerge.
