The American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by a CRJ700 regional passenger aircraft (N709PS), carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night when it collided with an U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter (PAT25), which had three crew members onboard, belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion from Fort Belvoir in Virginia.
Could be first in the decade, according to witnesses of the devastating mid-air collision, both aircraft subsequently plummeted into the Potomac River, with the CRJ700 plane said to have 'split in half'.
American Airlines, whose subsidiary operated the flight, said “there were 60 passengers and four crew members on board the aircraft”. However, no survivors have been rescued so far.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement, American Airlines flight 5342 (operated by PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines) collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter at 21:00 local time on Wednesday 29 January 2025.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the grounding of all planes at Reagan National, and Washington’s police said on X that “multiple agencies” were responding to the crash site in the Potomac.
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) announced that "takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted for the remainder of the evening."
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he had been briefed on the situation and extended gratitude to first responders for their swift action.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was just sworn in Wednesday, said he spoke with President Donald Trump and his team in the situation room, and he had a conversation with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, as well.
In a video statement, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep concern for those onboard and announced plans to visit the crash site with a response team.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew,” the airline stated, adding that it was working closely with emergency responders.
Rescue teams have launched extensive search operations in the nearby Potomac River, as authorities fear this could be one of the deadliest air disasters in the U.S. in over 15 years.
The last major fatal US crash was in the year 2009, when a Continental Flight 3407 from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York crashed and killed all 49 people on board.
A massive search and rescue operation involving 300 state and federal responders is ongoing at the crash site, according to DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, who spoke at a news conference around 1 a.m. EST on Thursday.
"So, it's a highly complex operation. The conditions out there are extremely rough for the responders. It's cold. They're dealing with relatively windy conditions. Wind is hard out on the river," he said.
Washington DC mayor said early Thursday that rescue operation continues after a passenger plane and military helicopter crashed into the Potomac River late Wednesday.
"Both aircraft are in the water. The focus now is rescuing people," Muriel Bowser said at a news conference.
Her remarks came after an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided in midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night.
At least 19 bodies have been found so far, with DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly telling press during a conference that his team 'don't know' if they'll find anybody alive.
It is believed that the plane was carrying several members of the US figure-skating community, their family and coaches, among others.
American Airlines said their 'concern is for the passengers and assisting with emergency response efforts' , adding: "We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.
For anyone concerned that they may have loved ones on board flight 5342, American Airlines has set up a helpline they can call toll-free on 800-679-8215 from the USA, as well as from Canada, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. Those calling from outside those regions can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers.
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