Washington, January 30, 2025: A devastating midair collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter sent both aircraft crashing into the frigid waters of the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials confirmed.
CBS News, citing police sources, reported that at least 30 bodies had been recovered from the crash site. American Airlines confirmed that Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, was carrying 64 people—60 passengers and four crew members—while the U.S. Army stated that three soldiers were aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which had departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia on a training mission.
Emergency response teams, including local police, fire departments, and federal agencies, launched a large-scale search and rescue operation in the Potomac River. Dozens of rescue boats, flashing red and blue lights, combed the icy waters while first responders worked along the tarmac of Reagan Airport, which temporarily suspended all takeoffs and landings.
A live web camera feed from the Kennedy Center captured an explosion midair at approximately 8:47 PM (0147 GMT), showing one of the aircraft engulfed in flames before plummeting rapidly into the river.
Relatives of passengers gathered anxiously at the airport, frustrated by the lack of official information. Hamaad Raza, who had been waiting for his wife’s arrival, described his last contact with her:
“She texted me that she was landing in 20 minutes,” he said. “Then my messages stopped going through. That’s when I knew something was wrong. I’m just praying someone is pulling her out of the river right now.”
The U.S. Army confirmed that the Black Hawk was on a training flight, with initial reports suggesting no senior officials were on board. Officials, speaking anonymously, said the status of the soldiers remained unknown as rescue efforts continued.
President Donald Trump issued a statement, saying he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident” and extended his prayers to the victims and their families.
“May God bless their souls. Thank you to the incredible first responders working tirelessly at the scene,” he said.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated, “We are fully cooperating with authorities and will provide any necessary information to aid in the investigation.”
The tragic collision marks one of the deadliest air accidents in recent U.S. history and comes amid growing concerns about aviation safety. While the U.S. has not witnessed a fatal passenger airline crash since 2009, a series of near-miss incidents in recent years has raised alarm among regulators.
The incident also draws parallels to the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 disaster, when a plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge before plunging into the Potomac, killing 74 people.
Officials have warned that initial details could evolve as the investigation progresses. Search and recovery operations remain ongoing.
