ARLINGTON, Va. — A tragic midair incident involving an Army helicopter and a commercial jetliner resulted in the loss of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft, as confirmed by officials on Thursday. The authorities are focusing their investigation on the military pilot’s conduct in what marks the most catastrophic aviation accident in nearly 25 years.
Following the crash late Wednesday, at least 28 bodies were retrieved from the frigid waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter reportedly intersected the path of an American Airlines regional jet during its landing approach at Ronald Reagan National Airport, which is located directly across the river from the nation’s capital. On the jet, there were 60 passengers and four crew members, alongside three soldiers on the helicopter.
During a press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump announced that there were no survivors. “We are now transitioning from a rescue effort to a recovery mission,” stated John Donnelly, the fire chief of Washington, D.C.
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m. in one of the world’s most closely monitored and regulated airspaces, approximately 3 miles (about 4.8 kilometers) south of the White House and Capitol. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board reported that thorough air crash investigations may take several months, and they refrained from speculating regarding the causes of the accident.
Investigation teams successfully recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from the Bombardier CRJ700 plane, which were subsequently sent to the agency’s laboratories for analysis. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in three sections, upside-down in waist-deep water. Rescuers continued searches across the Potomac, while images from the river depicted boats surroundings parts of the submerged plane wing and mangled fuselage.
According to Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, the jet was on a standard landing approach when “the military aircraft entered its flight path.” As per a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, there was one air traffic controller managing both helicopter activity and incoming and outgoing planes at the time of the collision. Generally, these duties are divided between two individuals, but due to reduced traffic at around 9:30 p.m., the airport typically consolidates roles earlier in the evening. The tower supervisor made the decision to combine the positions ahead of schedule on Wednesday.
Despite the unusual configuration of air traffic controller responsibilities that night, a person familiar with the situation indicated that staffing levels were normal. This approach is common when controllers need to take breaks, undergo shift changes, or when traffic is slow.
The Federal Aviation Administration has faced ongoing challenges with a shortage of air traffic controllers. Officials revealed that flight conditions were favorable as the aircraft approached from Wichita, Kansas, bearing a group of young elite figure skaters along with their parents, coaches, and four union steamfitters from the Washington region.
A senior Army aviation official noted that the crew aboard the Black Hawk helicopter was “highly experienced” and well-acquainted with the complexities of flying in a congested airspace, highlighting that both pilots had previously executed the same route at night, so the situation was not unfamiliar to them.
At the time of the accident, the allowable altitude for the helicopter was capped at 200 feet (approximately 60 meters), but it was unclear if this limit was exceeded. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that altitude might have been an element in the collision. Koziol emphasized that any conclusions regarding altitude would rely on thorough examination of the flight data.
President Trump initiated the news conference with a moment of silence to honor the victims, describing the event as an “hour of anguish” for the nation. However, he predominantly focused on assigning political blame, criticizing former President Biden’s administration as well as diversity initiatives within the Federal Aviation Administration, alleging these factors contributed to a decline in aviation standards, all while acknowledging that the precise cause of the collision remained undetermined.
Trump without substantiated evidence attributed responsibility to air traffic controllers, helicopter pilots, and Democratic policy measures, claiming that the FAA was “actively recruiting workers with significant intellectual disabilities, psychiatric issues, and other mental conditions under diversity and inclusion initiatives.”
Inside Reagan National Airport on Thursday, passengers impacted by the disruption exhibited a somber demeanor as they awaited the resumption of flights, carefully avoiding reporters and gazing out at the Potomac, where recovery efforts were minimally visible in the distance.
Aster Andemicael, waiting at the airport with her elderly father who was bound for Indiana, revealed that she spent the long night reflecting on the families affected by the tragedy. “I’ve been crying since yesterday,” she expressed, her voice trembling. “This is devastating.”
Commercial flights resumed around midday following the incident, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation crash since November 2001, when an American Airlines flight tragically crashed into a neighborhood in Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after takeoff from Kennedy Airport, claiming all 260 lives on board.
The last significant fatal accident involving a U.S. commercial airline transpired in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in the death of all onboard the Bombardier DHC-8 propeller plane, as well as an individual on the ground, tallying a total of 50 fatalities.
Experts routinely emphasize that air travel remains highly safe, with the National Safety Council estimating that the likelihood of dying in a car accident for Americans stands at 1 in 93, whereas airplane-related fatalities are rare enough to render statistical odds indeterminate. Similar figures from the Department of Transportation reinforce this conclusion.
Nevertheless, the airspace surrounding Reagan National presents challenges even to the most seasoned pilots, irrespective of the prevailing conditions, as they must navigate a plethora of commercial aircraft, military flights, and restricted zones near sensitive locales.
Notably, just over a day before the tragic incident, another regional jet was forced to abort its landing approach at Reagan National when alerted to the presence of a military helicopter, though it successfully landed shortly thereafter.
The city of Wichita was left reeling from the crash that struck at the heart of its community, known for its historical significance in the aircraft industry. Wichita recently hosted prestigious events such as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and remains the home of Bombardier’s U.S. headquarters. Many local jobs hinge on the aviation sector, causing economic dips whenever sales decline.
A prayer vigil drew several hundred residents together in the city council chambers, where Rev. Pamela Hughes Mason of St. Paul AME Church expressed, “We will get through this, but the only way we will persevere is by standing together.”
Flight 5342 was reported to be approaching Reagan National at an altitude of about 400 feet (122 meters) and a speed of roughly 140 mph (225 kph) when it rapidly lost altitude over the Potomac River, according to data sourced from its radio transponder. The Bombardier CRJ-700, which can typically accommodate up to 70 passengers, was manufactured in 2004.
Prior to the crash, air traffic controllers had directed the jet toward a shorter runway, demonstrated by adjustments in its approach according to flight-tracking data. Less than half a minute before the collision, an air traffic controller confirmed whether the helicopter had the landing plane in sight. They affirmed it was visible and requested “visual separation,” which would permit them to fly closer than standard rules would allow under visual conditions. The request was approved, but seconds later, the two aircraft collided.
