A regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter as it was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport, located near Washington, D.C. This tragic incident took place around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River and claiming all lives on board.
The accident occurred in a heavily monitored airspace just over three miles south of significant landmarks, such as the White House and the U.S. Capitol. A search-and-rescue effort that began shortly after the incident transitioned into a recovery mission by the morning of Thursday. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The regional jet, American Airlines Flight 5342, was departing from Wichita, Kansas, and was in the process of landing when it collided with a military helicopter involved in a training exercise. There were clear skies during the accident. Minutes prior to landing, air traffic controllers had inquired if the jet could utilize a shorter runway, to which the pilots agreed. They were cleared for landing, and deviations in the plane’s approach were visible on flight tracking radar.
Less than half a minute before the collision, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter crew if they could see the incoming jet. A follow-up communication instructed the helicopter to pass behind the jet, but there was no response from the helicopter before the two aircraft collided. The jet ceased its radio transmissions about 2,400 feet short of the runway, and recovery efforts later revealed the aircraft wreckage was found upside-down in the river in multiple sections. The remains of the helicopter were also discovered nearby.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are working to retrieve the data recording devices from both aircraft. They will analyze communications between the air traffic controllers and the pilots as well as examine the altitude data for both aircraft at the time of the crash.
According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, the air traffic controller overseeing the situation was managing helicopter and airplane traffic. Typically, this responsibility is held by two personnel in air traffic control, but staffing can be combined during breaks, shift changes, or periods of low air traffic. President Donald Trump and other officials suggested that the accident may have been preventable, with Trump insinuating some responsibility on the helicopter crew while criticizing diversity initiatives that he claimed compromised air safety.
This incident marked the deadliest air crash in the U.S. in nearly 24 years, with at least 28 bodies retrieved from the cold waters, including the three soldiers aboard the helicopter. Many of the passengers on the flight were members of the Skating Club of Boston returning from a camp related to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This group included teenage athletes and their parents as well as seasoned Russian coaches.
Furthermore, the officials confirmed that the helicopter crew was experienced and well-versed in navigating the busy airspace around Washington, though their identities have yet to be disclosed. Reagan Airport, known for its proximity to the city, was temporarily closed following the incident but resumed operations by Thursday morning. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked that the flight paths of both the plane and helicopter were typical for the area.
Federal authorities are concerned about an increase in near-misses within the aviation sector, particularly at Reagan Airport where there have been multiple recent incidents of close calls. The helicopter involved was a UH-60 Black Hawk, while the jet was a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701.
Historically, fatal accidents involving commercial planes are infrequent in the United States. The last significant event occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York. Notably, this week’s collision has drawn comparisons to past tragedies, including the Air Florida crash into the Potomac in 1982, which resulted from adverse weather conditions.
This recent accident has prompted a rigorous investigation as officials strive to provide answers to the families affected and safeguard future flights in the U.S. aviation system.
