American Airlines Plane Collides With Helicopter Near Washington's Reagan Airport | Video

Last Updated:January 30, 2025, 09:24 IST

A mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a helicopter near Reagan Airport resulted in both aircraft crashing into the Potomac River. Rescue operations are underway.

A helicopter assists with search and rescue operations over Capital Cove Marine in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (Photo: AFP)

An American Airlines passenger plane collided midair with a helicopter, after which both aircraft crashed in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport on Thursday.

The plane was reportedly carrying 64 people, including passengers and crew members. The number of people onboard the helicopter was not officially known.

Several fireboats were on the scene as the rescue operations were underway, according to the Washington Fire Department, Reuters said.

According to Fox News, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near the airport.

Videos on social media showed the moment when the plane crashed into the chopper during landing at the Reagan Airport.

Meanwhile, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were halted as emergency personnel responded to the incident.

In an X post, Reagan Airport confirmed, “All takeoffs and landings have been halted at DCA. Emergency personnel are responding to an aircraft incident on the airfield. The terminal remains open. Will update."

A video showed emergency crews on the ground.

In an X post, Texas Senator Ted Cruz wrote, “I am closely monitoring the situation at DCA, and I will receive a briefing from the FAA tomorrow. While we don’t yet know how many on board were lost, we know there are fatalities."

Also, Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department posted on X, “MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding."

Information on the number of those injured or killed in the crash was yet awaited.

News world American Airlines Plane Collides With Helicopter Near Washington's Reagan Airport | Video