Dozens Dead After Midair Collision Between American Airlines Jet and Army Helicopter
WASHINGTON DC
By Rick McCann
January 30, 2025
A midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter has left dozens dead and it is not known if there are any survivors after both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River at around 8:53 p.m. Wednesday.
A large-scale search continues in the water and on land after the midair collision between American Airlines 5342, operated by PSA Airlines carrying 64 people and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board near Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington, DC, officials said.
The plane was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan National Airport Wednesday night.
The US Army Blackhawk helicopter was on a training flight at the time of the incident, Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region media chief Heather Chairez told CNN.
The 12th Aviation Battalion, based out of Fort Belvoir in Virginia, provides helicopter transportation and “technical rescue support” to the National Capital Region. It remains unclear where the Black Hawk took off from before the collision.
Authorities say that the collision occurred while on final approach.
Video footage of the incident shows a massive fireball erupting upon impact, and the two aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. Audio between the helicopter and air traffic control reveals communications were relayed seconds before the crash.
At this time more than forty bodies have been recovered, and rescuers have yet to find any survivors in the river, a law enforcement source said.
The passenger jet is reportedly in pieces in the water, with the helicopter nearby. Conditions on the river have been described by officials as cold, windy and difficult.
Reagan National Airport is closed until at least 11 a.m. ET Thursday, officials said.
A law enforcement source described the atmosphere as a “really somber mood, even at the rescue scene.” At the airport, family members of likely victims gathered in an airport lounge as officials work to provide updates. Another news conference from authorities is expected at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Several members of the figure skating community were passengers on the jet, US Figure Skating confirmed. Two world-champion Russian figure skaters were aboard the passenger plane, according to Russian state news agency TASS. A vigil in Wichita is planned for noon CT.
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