A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter sent both aircraft plummeting into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening, D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed.
At least 30 bodies were recovered from the river overnight, according to two sources who spoke with News4. Search and rescue efforts continue as authorities comb the icy waters for more victims.
Seconds Before Impact
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller radioed the helicopter, asking if it had the arriving plane in sight: “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” Moments later, another instruction was given: “PAT 25, pass behind the CRJ.”
Seconds later, disaster struck.
Video from EarthCam captured the horrifying moment of impact—a blinding flash lighting up the night sky before both aircraft plunged into the river. Audio recordings from flight tracking services do not indicate any response from the helicopter to air traffic control’s warnings.
The jet’s radio transponder ceased transmission about 2,400 feet (730 meters) short of the runway, directly over the river.
Passengers and Rescue Efforts
The Wichita, Kansas-bound airliner carried around 60 passengers, while three people were aboard the military helicopter. So far, at least four survivors have been pulled from the water and rushed to hospitals.
Frigid temperatures added to the urgency of the rescue mission. With the water at a deadly 35°F (2°C), hypothermia could set in within 15 to 20 minutes, Storm Team4’s Doug Kammerer warned.
Among those on board were members of U.S. Figure Skating, who had recently attended a championship event in Wichita.
Death Toll Unclear, But Officials Brace for Worst
Authorities at Reagan National Airport have yet to confirm an official death toll, though their somber tone suggested a grim outlook.
Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas described the tragedy as “unbearable sorrow.” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment on body recoveries, while Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said, “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
A source told News4 that the medical examiner’s office is preparing for its largest recovery effort in decades.
FAA Confirms Midair Collision
In an official statement, the FAA detailed the crash: “A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time. PSA was operating Flight 5342 as American Airlines. It departed from Wichita, Kansas.”
Trump Reacts, Questions Military and Air Traffic Control
President Donald Trump addressed the disaster in a statement late Wednesday, calling it a “terrible accident” and expressing gratitude to first responders.
“May God bless their souls,” he wrote.
However, in a Truth Social post, Trump raised questions about the helicopter’s maneuvers and the role of air traffic controllers.
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach for an extended period of time on a CLEAR NIGHT,” he wrote. “Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane?”
In a follow-up post, he added, “What a terrible night this has been. God Bless you all!”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to piece together what led to the catastrophic collision, while recovery teams work tirelessly to locate any remaining victims. As the nation reels from one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history, the search for answers—and accountability—has only just begun.
