Posted on 01/29/25
| News Source: ABC News
Washington, D.C. – Jan. 29, 2025 – A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three U.S. soldiers collided midair with an American Airlines regional jet, sending the aircraft into the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The crash has prompted a massive multi-agency search-and-rescue operation, according to officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet, operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the Black Hawk helicopter, which was based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, while on approach to Runway 33 around 9 p.m. local time.
The regional jet was carrying 64 people total, including 60 passengers and four crew members. The Black Hawk was carrying three U.S. soldiers at the time of the collision.
A defense official confirmed that no senior Army leaders were aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash.
President Donald Trump released a statement, saying:
"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."
Vice President JD Vance also acknowledged the tragedy, urging Americans to "say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision."
Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, confirmed that there are fatalities but did not specify the number. "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," Cruz wrote on social media.
Newly confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that he is monitoring the situation from FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Metropolitan Police, and federal authorities are actively conducting a search-and-rescue operation in the Potomac River. Fireboats and first responders are scouring the scene for survivors.
This marks the first major commercial aviation crash in the U.S. since 2009, when the Colgan Air crash in Buffalo, New York, killed dozens. The last aviation fatality on a commercial flight was in 2018, when a Southwest Airlines passenger was partially sucked out of a window.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the cause of the midair collision. The FAA has halted all takeoffs and landings at DCA, and the airport remains closed as authorities continue their response efforts.
This is a developing story. More updates will be provided as details emerge.