ARLINGTON, Va. — A tragic midair collision involving an Army helicopter and a regional jet resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals onboard the two aircraft. Authorities are examining the conduct of the military pilot involved in what has been deemed the most severe aviation disaster in the United States in nearly twenty-five years.
Search teams have so far recovered at least 28 bodies from the frigid Potomac River, where the helicopter reportedly crossed paths with an American Airlines regional jet as it approached Ronald Reagan National Airport late Wednesday evening. The commercial flight had 60 passengers and four crew members aboard, while the helicopter was carrying three soldiers.
President Donald Trump addressed the situation during a press conference, confirming that there were no survivors. “We are now transitioning from rescue efforts to recovery operations,” stated John Donnelly, the fire chief for Washington, D.C.
The crash took place shortly before 9 p.m., in one of the most closely monitored airspaces globally, located approximately 3 miles (about 4.8 kilometers) from the White House and the Capitol building. The investigation into the cause of the accident is expected to take several months, and federal investigators have refrained from making any preliminary conclusions.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced that they had retrieved both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 plane for analysis. The aircraft was discovered partially submerged and in three sections, while responders searched extensive stretches of the river. The remnants of the helicopter were also located. Images revealed boats navigating around the submerged wing and the twisted fuselage of the plane.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom reported that the plane was on a standard approach when the military helicopter unexpectedly came into its trajectory. According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, a single air traffic controller was managing both helicopter and aircraft traffic at the time of the incident, which is typically handled by two individuals during busier hours. On that particular night, the supervisor in the control tower decided to consolidate the roles earlier than usual.
“This staffing configuration was not standard for the given time and traffic levels,” the report indicated. However, a source familiar with the situation claimed that staffing levels for that night were typical. The combined positions are usually employed when controllers require breaks or during slower traffic periods.
Federal officials have reported that flight conditions were clear at the time, with the jet arriving from Wichita, Kansas, carrying a group of young figure skaters, along with their parents, coaches, and four local union workers. A senior Army official stated the helicopter crew, flying a Black Hawk, was well-seasoned and adept at maneuvering through the busy airspace in the region.
Jonathan Koziol, the Army aviation chief of staff, noted that both pilots had previously flown the route under similar conditions. He also pointed out that the helicopter’s operational maximum altitude was 200 feet (about 60 meters), and while it remains uncertain if this limit was surpassed, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that altitude was likely a contributing factor in the incident.
Trump’s press conference began with a moment of silence for the victims, labeling the day as one filled with national sorrow. However, he largely shifted to political critiques, blaming the previous administration and diversity initiatives at the FAA for perceived declines in operational standards, even while acknowledging that the crash’s cause was still unknown. He made unfounded allegations against various groups involved, asserting that the FAA was “actively recruiting individuals with significant cognitive and psychological challenges under a diversity hiring framework.”
Inside Reagan National Airport, a somber atmosphere enveloped stranded passengers who waited for flights to resume, avoiding media attention as they watched the river where recovery operations were underway but hardly visible. Aster Andemicael, who had been at the airport since the prior evening with her elderly father en route to Indiana, reflected on the tragedy, stating, “I’ve been crying since yesterday. This is devastating.”
Flights resumed around midday following the incident.
This crash marked the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since November 2001, which involved an American Airlines flight that crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport, claiming 260 lives aboard and five on the ground. The last significant fatal crash involving a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in 50 fatalities overall.
Despite the inherent safety of air travel, experts emphasize that aviation accidents remain exceedingly rare. Statistics from the National Safety Council suggest that Americans face a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a vehicle accident, while airplane fatalities are so infrequent that calculating odds becomes impractical. The Department of Transportation supports these findings.
The airspace surrounding Reagan National Airport poses challenges even for seasoned pilots, requiring them to navigate among numerous commercial and military aircraft as well as sensitive zones. Less than 24 hours before the lethal collision, a different regional jet was forced to execute a go-around due to a military helicopter’s proximity but managed to land safely soon after.
The city of Wichita, known for its strong community spirit, has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Once a host of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the city has long been tied to the aviation industry. A vigil attended by several hundred people in city council chambers reflected the community’s grief. “We will get through this, but we must do it together,” stated Rev. Pamela Hughes Mason of St. Paul AME Church.
Investigations revealed that Flight 5342 was approaching Reagan National at about 400 feet (122 meters) and traveling at approximately 140 mph (225 kph) when it abruptly lost altitude over the Potomac River. Just moments before the accident, air traffic controllers rerouted the jet to a shorter runway, adjusting its approach accordingly.
Within 30 seconds preceding the collision, the air traffic controller confirmed with the helicopter crew about whether they had visual contact with the incoming aircraft. Upon receiving confirmation, the helicopter requested “visual separation,” which was granted, allowing the two aircraft to fly closer than usual. Tragically, seconds later, the collision occurred.
