ARLINGTON, Va. — A tragic midair accident involving an Army helicopter and a commercial jet resulted in the death of all 67 individuals on board the two aircraft, officials confirmed on Thursday. Investigators are currently examining the military pilot’s actions in what has become the nation’s deadliest aviation accident in nearly 25 years.
Rescue teams have recovered at least 28 bodies from the frigid waters of the Potomac River. The incident occurred late on Wednesday as the helicopter reportedly entered the flight path of the American Airlines regional jet while it was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport, located just across the river from Washington. The passenger plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while three soldiers were on the helicopter.
During a press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump stated, “No one survived” the devastating crash. John Donnelly, the fire chief of the nation’s capital, added, “We are now switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.”
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m. in an area known for its stringent air traffic control, situated over three miles south of the White House and Capitol. Investigations into the crash could take several months, and federal authorities refrained from making any premature conclusions about the cause. The flight data recorders remained submerged, according to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.
The passenger jet was discovered upside down, fragmented into three pieces in shallow waters, while first responders searched the miles of the Potomac. Rescue images revealed the wreckage and a partly submerged wing from the aircraft. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom indicated that the plane was in the process of landing when “the military aircraft came into the path” of the jet.
According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, an air traffic controller was overseeing the coordination of helicopter and aircraft traffic at the time of the incident. Typically, these responsibilities are split between two controllers, but it was noted that during certain slower periods, such as 9:30 p.m., the roles may be combined. On that fateful night, this decision was made earlier than usual, raising questions about the adequacy of staffing during critical moments.
Despite a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers in the FAA, officials indicated that flying conditions were clear when the jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas. The passenger list included talented young figure skaters alongside their families and coaches, alongside union steamfitters from the Washington area.
An Army aviation leader pointed out that the Black Hawk crew had extensive experience navigating the busy airspace around Washington. “Both pilots had flown this specific route before, at night. This wasn’t something new to either of them,” stated Jonathan Koziol, the chief of staff for Army aviation.
The helicopter was authorized to fly at a maximum altitude of 200 feet (about 60 meters). Although it has not been confirmed if this limit was breached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that altitude likely played a role in the tragic incident. Koziol mentioned that an examination of the flight data is essential before any definitive conclusions about altitude can be drawn.
President Trump began the conference with a moment of silence honoring the victims, labeling it an “hour of anguish” for the nation. However, he subsequently shifted focus to political criticisms, targeting former President Biden’s administration and the FAA’s diversity initiatives, claiming they led to declining safety standards, even as he admitted that the cause of the disaster remained unclear.
Without providing any supporting evidence, Trump criticized the air traffic controllers, helicopter pilots, and Democratic policies, suggesting that the FAA was “actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative.”
The atmosphere inside Reagan National on Thursday was somber, as passengers stranded by the crash awaited the resumption of their flights, dodging camera crews and gazing out at the Potomac, where recovery efforts were minimally visible.
One passenger, Aster Andemicael, had been at the airport since the previous evening with her elderly father, who was traveling to Indiana to see relatives. She expressed her sorrow throughout the night as she thought of the victims and their families. “I’ve been crying since yesterday,” Andemicael said, her voice trembling. “This is devastating.” Flights eventually resumed around midday.
This catastrophic accident marked the deadliest aviation incident in the U.S. since November 2001, following a crash involving an American Airlines flight that killed all 260 persons aboard after it crashed into a residential area in Belle Harbor, New York. The most recent major crash involving a U.S. commercial airliner occurred in 2009 near Buffalo, New York, resulting in 50 deaths.
While aviation experts maintain that air travel is largely safe, statistics show a stark contrast between air and road travel fatalities. The National Safety Council estimates a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a car accident, whereas airplane fatalities occur too infrequently to provide a reliable odds calculation.
The airspace around Reagan National presents challenges even for skilled aviators, requiring coordination with numerous commercial planes, military aircraft, and restricted regions near significant landmarks.
Just prior to the fatal accident, a separate regional jet had to execute a go-around landing due to the presence of a nearby military helicopter, although it landed safely shortly afterward. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Wichita, a city known for its rich aviation history and as a hub for the aircraft industry.
In light of the disaster, a prayer vigil brought hundreds together in city council chambers with the Rev. Pamela Hughes Mason of St. Paul AME Church stating, “We will get through this, but the only way we will get through this is together.”
Flight 5342 was nearing Reagan National at about 400 feet (122 meters) in altitude and approximately 140 mph (225 kph) just moments before its descent was dramatically interrupted by the collision. The Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-700 had originally been rerouted to a shorter runway and had adjusted its approach accordingly before the tragic event unfolded. Less than half a minute before the incident, air traffic controllers confirmed visual separation with the helicopter, which had indicated it was able to see the incoming jet—leading to the fatal intersection just seconds later.
