ARLINGTON, Va. — An American Airlines flight, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with an Army helicopter on Wednesday while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. This incident triggered a significant search and rescue effort in the Potomac River. Reports indicate there were multiple fatalities, although the exact count is still uncertain as rescue teams continue their operations to locate any potential survivors.
Three soldiers were aboard the military helicopter, as confirmed by an Army representative. While the cause of the accident is not yet known, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were suspended during the search. Dive teams combed the waters, and law enforcement helicopters systematically hovered overhead as they sought out any victims.
Images taken from the river displayed boats surrounding parts of the submerged helicopter wing and what appeared to be debris from the damaged aircraft. “We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” said the District of Columbia Mayor during a somber briefing at the airport, although she refrained from disclosing how many bodies had been retrieved.
A person familiar with the situation, who chose to remain anonymous, informed that there had been multiple deaths but was not permitted to share further investigation details. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “When one person dies, it’s a tragedy, but when there are many, many fatalities, it becomes unbearable.” President Trump acknowledged the tragedy, stating he had been fully briefed and offered prayers for the passengers.
Among the passengers were a group of figure skaters, along with coaches and family members returning from a development camp post the U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in Wichita. U.S. Figure Skating conveyed their grief, asserting, “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts.”
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the collision transpired before 9 p.m. EST when the regional jet, coming from Wichita, Kansas, struck the helicopter during its landing approach. This incident occurred in one of the world’s most controlled airspaces, situated just over three miles south of significant government landmarks.
Investigators are set to reconstruct the final moments leading up to the collision, including any communications with air traffic control and the passenger jet’s altitude drops. Data from the jet’s transponder indicated it was at approximately 400 feet and traveling at 140 miles per hour before rapidly losing altitude over the Potomac River.
Prior to landing, air traffic controllers had permitted the commercial jet to utilize the shorter Runway 33, to which the pilots affirmed their ability. Seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller inquired if the helicopter had visual on the commercial flight. Moments later, it was advised to pass behind the CRJ, followed by the disastrous collision.
The plane’s transponder ceased its signal approximately 2,400 feet short of the runway, over the river. A video captured from the Kennedy Center displayed two sets of lights, consistent with aircraft, suddenly merging into a fireball.
Senator Jerry Moran expressed a personal connection to the flight, noting, “This is a very personal circumstance,” given that he has flown that route on numerous occasions.
The tragic event unfolded on a warm evening in Washington, with temperatures reaching up to 60 degrees, contrasting a previous period of severe cold. The Potomac River’s temperature that day was reported at 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NOAA data, alongside potential wind gusts of 25 mph.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sympathy regarding the crash, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to addressing the needs of passengers, crew members, and families affected by the tragedy. Approximately 300 first responders were present at the scene, with inflatable rescue boats launched into the river near the airport, while searchlights illuminated the area. D.C. fire chief John Donnelly described the operation as highly complex due to the harsh conditions.
The U.S. Army identified the helicopter as a UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, which was conducting a routine training flight. Military flights are common in this area due to their necessity for familiarization and government continuity training.
This incident is now a critical challenge for recent appointees within the Trump administration, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who took office shortly before, stating that an immediate investigation has been launched. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, recently appointed, pledged his agency’s full support for the investigation at a news conference held shortly after the incident.
The last significant fatal incident involving a U.S. commercial airline occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in the loss of all passengers aboard, totaling 50 deaths, including two on the ground. The investigation from that tragedy revealed the captain’s error led to the crash.
Reagan Airport is slated to reopen at 11 a.m. on Thursday, a change from previous announcements indicating a closure until Friday morning. This airport is favored for its proximity to the city, offering travelers stunning views of landmarks such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
The incident brings to mind the Air Florida crash on January 13, 1982, when an aircraft plummeted into the Potomac, resulting in 78 fatalities due to adverse weather conditions.
