Video appears to show midair plane crash at Reagan National Airport
A massive search and rescue effort is underway after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines jet at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday evening.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport around 9 p.m. local time.
PSA was operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, and it departed from Wichita, Kansas. There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that President Donald Trump is aware of the situation, calling it tragic. Trump later released a statement, writing: “I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”
PLANE VEERS OFF AIRPORT RUNWAY IN SOUTH KOREA AND CRASHES, KILLING 179: REPORTS
A small aircraft is down in the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport, DC Fire was confirmed on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. (FOX 5 DC)
The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia said in a statement that at 8:53 p.m., multiple calls were received for an aircraft crash above the Potomac River.
“DC Fire and EMS, the Metropolitan Police Department and multiple partner agencies are currently coordinating a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River,” police said. “There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.”
American Airlines told Fox News Digital that they are aware of reports that American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident. No further information was available from the airline.
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The aircraft collided with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter, which can carry 15 people, including two pilots, two crew chiefs and two rescue specialists.
There were three soldiers on the helicopter at the time of the crash, according to an Army official.
“We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, out of Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir during a training flight,” the Army confirmed to Fox News Digital. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”
At the time of the crash, Reagan National Airport reported clear skies, visibility of 10 miles and winds sustained out of the northwest at 16 mph, gusting to 26 mph. The temperature at the time was also 50 degrees.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he was on the scene and closely monitoring the situation. He was just sworn in earlier in the day on Wednesday.
The DC Fire and EMS Department confirmed that fireboats were on the scene.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said every available U.S. Coast Guard resource is being deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts. She also said her department is actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to support local responders.
AIRLINER’S FINAL 4 MINUTES OF RECORDINGS ARE MISSING AFTER CRASH THAT KILLED 179: INVESTIGATORS
A screenshot from an EarthCam appears to show the moment an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines jet at Reagan Washington National Airport. (Credit: EarthCam) (EarthCam)
A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan National and the pilots said they were able. Controllers then cleared the plane to land on Runway 33. Flight tracking sites showed the plane adjust its approach to the new runway.
In audio from the air traffic control tower around the time of the crash, a controller is heard asking the helicopter, “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight,” in reference to the passenger aircraft.
“Tower did you see that?” another pilot is heard calling seconds after the apparent collision.
One video posted to X and captured from the webcam at the Kennedy Center caught what appeared to be a midair explosion near the Potomac River.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelley also said she was aware of the incident.
“I am aware that a plane inbound from Wichita was involved in a crash at Reagan National Airport,” she said. “I am actively in contact with authorities. My thoughts go out to those involved. I will share more information as it becomes available.”
A screenshot from an EarthCam appears to show the fireball as an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a jet at Reagan Washington National Airport. (Credit: EarthCam) (EarthCam)
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kans., said in a post on X that he had seen reports of a collision with a D.C. helicopter and an inbound flight from Wichita, Kansas.
“We are in contact with authorities working to get answers,” Marshall wrote. “We ask you to join us in prayer for every single passenger and their families.”
Marshall later wrote that the aircraft was carrying roughly 60 passengers when it collided with the military helicopter.
“My prayer is that God wraps his arms around each and every victim and that he continues to be with their families. There are no words that can make telling this story any easier,” he wrote. “I ask the world to join me in praying for Kansas this evening, the first responders, rescue crews, and all those involved in this horrific accident. I have been in contact with local and national authorities asking for answers and will continue to demand more information on how this unfolded.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more information.
