A tragic collision involving a regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members and an Army helicopter occurred while the aircraft were approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The incident happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday, resulting in both planes crashing into the Potomac River, leading to the loss of all individuals onboard.
The accident took place in a heavily monitored airspace, situated just over three miles south of significant landmarks such as the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Search-and-rescue operations that commenced overnight transitioned into a recovery effort on Thursday as the investigation into the event began.
Details of the incident indicate that the regional jet, which was originating from Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land when it collided with a military helicopter engaged in a training exercise, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. The weather during the time of the crash was clear. Minutes prior to landing, air traffic controllers suggested that American Airlines Flight 5342 utilize a shorter runway, to which the pilots agreed. The flight tracking data confirmed that the jet adjusted its landing approach accordingly.
A mere 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller inquired if the helicopter pilot could see the jet. Shortly thereafter, the controller instructed the helicopter to allow the Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine jet to pass, but there was no response before the aircraft collided. Communication ceased from the plane’s radio transponder approximately 2,400 feet short of the runway, near the Potomac River, where the wreckage was ultimately discovered upside-down in three segments. The debris from the helicopter was similarly located in the river.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have begun their examination, which includes recovering the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, as disclosed by NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson. The investigation aims to unravel the moments preceding the collision, focusing on communications between the aircraft and air traffic control as well as examining the altitude and maneuvers performed by both.
An internal report from the FAA indicated that only one air traffic controller was in charge of managing the helicopter traffic along with arrivals and departures at the time of the incident, which differed from the typical protocol where two controllers share these responsibilities. However, a source familiar with the situation stated that staffing levels that night were normal, noting that controllers often switch duties for breaks or during slow periods.
During a press conference, President Trump implied that the helicopter pilots bore responsibility for the crash, also making unsubstantiated claims regarding diversity impacts on air safety.
The crash marks a significant tragedy as it stands as the deadliest airplane accident in the U.S. since 2001, with at least 28 bodies recovered from the frigid water, including the three soldiers aboard the helicopter. Among the passengers were members of the Skating Club of Boston returning from a training camp, with 14 individuals connected to the skating community onboard. This group included young skaters, their mothers, and two coaches who had notable accolades in the sport.
Additional victims included a college student who was attending her grandfather’s funeral and a group of hunters returning home. The casualties also comprised three students and six parents from Fairfax County, with information indicating that two individuals with Chinese nationality were present among the deceased.
Jonathan Koziol from Army aviation mentioned that the helicopter crew was highly experienced with the complexities of flying in the busy area surrounding Washington. The identities of the crew members are yet to be disclosed, but a post on social media by the wife of one pilot, Andrew Eaves, confirmed his tragic loss.
Reagan Airport, situated close to downtown D.C., features a congested flying environment where pilots must navigate amidst numerous commercial aircraft, military planes, and various restricted areas. Federal authorities have voiced growing concerns regarding the frequency of near-misses in this airspace. An incident just a day before the tragic crash involved another regional jet that had to execute a go-around maneuver due to the presence of a military helicopter, raising additional alarms about safety protocols.
The helicopter involved was identified as a UH-60 Black Hawk stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, while the regional jet was a Bombardier CRJ-701 manufactured in 2004.
Fatalities from commercial aircraft incidents in the U.S. are uncommon, with the previous major crash occurring in 2009 when a Bombardier DHC-8 crashed into a house in New York, claiming the lives of all 45 passengers and four crew members, in addition to one casualty on the ground.
Comparative historical crashes resemble the significant incident from January 13, 1982, when an Air Florida flight crashed into the Potomac due to adverse weather conditions, resulting in 78 fatalities. The events surrounding this most recent tragedy will undoubtedly lead to extensive investigations and potential repercussions for aviation safety standards.
