WASHINGTON, D.C. – A regional American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the air on Wednesday night, before plunging into the middle of the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, officials have confirmed.
The collision happened at about 9 p.m. local time, long after dark, and induced an intensive multi-agency search and rescue operation. The aircraft was the American Airlines 5342, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet that was on approach to the airport when it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The helicopter was from Fort Belvoir, Va., an Army official said.
Authorities said the jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the Black Hawk had three Army personnel on board. Rescuers were still trying to locate passengers and crew amid ongoing rescue operations.
Immediately, fireboats and rescue workers were sent to the crash site. With the water temperature said to be about 36 degrees and winds gusting at 30 mph, officials are concerned about the survival condition of those aboard.
Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board had launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The cause that resulted in the midair collision has not been established by officials yet.
American Airlines said in a statement that it was “concerned about all the people involved.” “Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew. We are in contact with authorities and assisting in emergency response efforts.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin assured the public that extensive resources have been mobilized to support rescue operations. “First responders from Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland acted swiftly,” he said on social media, urging prayers for those affected.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the incident, tweeting, “I have been fully briefed on this terrible accident. May God bless their souls. We are monitoring the situation closely.”
The FBI’s Washington Field Office said its National Capital Response Squad is assisting local law enforcement.
The FAA declared that Reagan National Airport would not reopen before 5 a.m. Friday due to the continued investigations. It is the first major disaster happening in U.S. commercial aviation since the Colgan Air crash near Buffalo, New York in 2009.
Rescue operations are continuing to find if there are any survivors, although authorities have urged people to continue updating themselves on news coming from the scene of the accident.
