American Airlines Jet Collides With Military Helicopter Near Reagan Airport, Search For Survivors Underway
American Airlines Jet Collides With Military Helicopter Near Reagan Airport, Search For Survivors Underway
Washington, D.C., January 30: A tragic mid-air collision occurred near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night when an American Airlines regional jet crashed into a Black Hawk military helicopter during its landing approach. The accident has prompted an extensive search and rescue mission over the Potomac River, with authorities working in challenging conditions to locate survivors.
According to federal aviation officials, the collision happened around 9 PM (ET) when the regional flight—originating from Wichita, Kansas—descended towards the runway and struck the US Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The impact caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly over the Potomac.
Rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies so far, and no survivors have been found yet, as per early reports. On board the American Airlines Flight 5342 were 60 passengers and four crew members, while the military helicopter carried three US Army personnel.
In response to the tragedy, Reagan Airport has suspended all take-offs and landings, and first responders, including the DC Fire Department, police officials, and the US Coast Guard, are actively engaged in recovery efforts.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed deep sorrow, stating that the airline is fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The Pentagon confirmed that the helicopter had departed from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on a training flight at the time of the accident.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged the disaster, offering condolences and praising first responders for their efforts. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy assured that federal agencies were closely coordinating with local authorities to manage the aftermath.
https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2025/Information-regarding-American-Eagle-Flight-5342/default.aspxAuthorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, while aviation experts question air traffic control communication and flight visibility conditions at the time of the incident.
