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Last Updated:January 30, 2025, 19:28 IST
Washington Plane Crash LIVE: An American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air near Reagan Washington Airport, crashing into the Potomac River.
Workers from the American Red Cross arrive at Ronald Reagan Washington Airport in Arlington, Virginia. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)
American Airlines Plane Crash, Reagan Airport Live Updates: An American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington Airport early on Thursday (India time). Soon after the collision, both the aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, prompting massive emergency crews to gather for rescue operations.
The American Airlines plane was carrying 60 passengers, along with two pilots and two crew members, while the helicopter was carrying three soldiers at the time of the crash, news agency Reuters quoted a US official as saying.
Later, the Reagan Airport said that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident.
American Airlines CEO Suggests Helicopter’s Path May Be To Blame For DC Collision
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom raised concerns over the collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington, DC. Isom pointed to the helicopter’s flight path, implying that it may have played a role in the crash.
“As of now, we don’t know why the military aircraft came into the path of the PSA aircraft,” Isom said Thursday morning, according to CNN.
American Airlines Jet, Army Helicopter Collision Claims 28 Lives
At least 28 bodies have been recovered from the icy waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Airport near Washington.
American Figure Skating Group Says Flight Carried Members Of US Figure Skating Community
US Figure Skating, the organization governing the sport across the nation, confirmed that “several members” of its community were onboard the American Airlines flight that collided with a helicopter in Washington, DC, on Wednesday evening.
The passengers included athletes, coaches, and family members who were returning from the Development Camp, an event held alongside the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
“US Figure Skating can confirm that several members of our skating community were sadly aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter yesterday evening in Washington, D.C. These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the Development Camp held in conjunction with the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas. We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available,” the body said in a statement.
Russian Figure Skaters Reported Onboard Plane That Collided With US Army Helicopter Near Washington
Two world-champion Russian figure skaters were reportedly onboard the passenger plane that collided with a US Army helicopter near Washington, DC, according to Russian state media outlet TASS.
DC Fire Chief Says All Search-and-Rescue Efforts In Water Will Take Multiple Days
D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. outlined the challenges facing rescue teams currently operating in the Potomac River, where conditions are described as “dangerous” and “hard to work in.”
“The water we’re operating in is about 8 feet deep,” Donnelly explained.
Donnelly also shared that the investigation into the collision is expected to take longer than initially anticipated. As of now, search-and-rescue efforts remain focused on the water, with no further updates on the victims.
Witness Near Potomac River Heard 2 Booms, Smelled Jet Fuel After Plane Crash
Ashlyn Finch, a witness living near the Potomac River, reported hearing two loud booms followed by the smell of jet fuel. Finch, in a Facebook message to The Associated Press, shared that her 12-year-old son came running down to say he had seen a plane crash and the lights go into the water.
300 Responders Work On Rescue Operation Amid Harsh Conditions, Fire And EMS Chief Says
Over 300 responders are actively engaged in the ongoing rescue operation following the air crash in the Potomac River. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly confirmed that the situation on the ground is challenging, noting that cold weather and intense wind are making conditions extremely difficult for those involved in the rescue efforts.
Officials Provide Limited Details On Reagan Air Crash Victims
Authorities ended a press briefing without confirming details about victims of the Reagan air crash in the Potomac River. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment on the rescue operation or the condition of the aircraft, which remains submerged.
When asked if there were any survivors, Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly said, “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.” Officials have not shared further updates.
Washington’s Reagan Airport to Reopen at 11 AM Thursday
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Washington’s Reagan Airport will reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, revising its earlier guidance that had extended the closure until 5 a.m. Friday, the Associated Press said.
Transit Authority Extends Rail Service
On its social media channels, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it has extended rail service on its silver line from Dulles Airport, where some flights were diverted following the collision near Reagan Airport.
Officials also said buses would be available at Metro Center, a major downtown metro rail hub, to then ferry travellers back to Reagan if their cars were parked there.
What Caused Reagan Plane Crash?
The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred around 9 pm EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway. The helicopter was on a training flight, an official told the Associated Press.
Donald Trump Issues Statement On Reagan Plane Crash
US President Trump addresses the Reagan Airport crash, and issues a statement.
19 Bodies So Far Recovered From Potomac River: Report
As many as 19 bodies have so far been recovered, according to some unconfirmed media reports, as divers accessed the wreckage in the Potomac River and reported numerous passengers still strapped in their seats underwater.
Passenger Plane, Helicopter Collide Midair | Video
A video of the plane-helicopter crash on social media shows an almost pitch-black helicopter colliding into a passenger plane, and the two exploding into a fireball.
❗️ NEW video of the collision between Blackhawk & Flight 5342
This is a closer shot
Shows a almost pitch-black helicopter ram at speed into passenger plane, which explodes into fireball pic.twitter.com/FbGWQY4TAJ
— RT (@RT_com) January 30, 2025
What Was The Weather Like In Washington At The Time Of The Crash?
The collision occurred on a warm winter evening in Washington, with temperatures registering as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, following a stretch days earlier of intense cold and ice.
On Wednesday, the Potomac River was 36 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Weather Service reported that wind gusts of up to 25 mph were possible in the area throughout the evening.
Moments Before Reagan Plane Crash
According to the Associated Press, American Airlines Flight 5342 was inbound to Reagan at an altitude of about 400 feet and a speed of about 140 miles per hour when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude over the Potomac River, according to data from its radio transponder. A few minutes before landing, air traffic controllers asked the arriving commercial jet if it could land on the shorter Runway 33 at Reagan 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.
Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the helicopter if it had the arriving plane in sight.
The controller made another radio call to the helicopter moments later, “PAT 25 pass behind the CRJ.”
Seconds after that, the two aircraft collided.
The plane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 feet short of the runway, roughly over the middle of the river.
Passengers Onboard Crashed Plane, Helicopter
The US passenger plane was carrying 64 people, including passengers and crew members, while the military helicopter was a Black Hawk model carrying three soldiers.
Federal Aviation Administration Issues Statement
The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair crash occurred around 9 pm EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway.
Reagan Airport Aborts Flight Operations
All takeoffs and landings from the Reagan Airport in Washington have been halted as helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region are flying over the scene in search of survivors.
Search Underway In Potomac River
A large search-and-rescue operation is underway in the nearby Potomac River, where the plane and the helicopter fell soon after the midair collision.
Passenger Jet Collides With Helicopter
A jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Airport near Washington.
Reagan Airport Plane Crash LIVE: Eyewitness Shares Moment When Passenger Flight Collided
An eyewitness, Ari Schulman, told CNN that he driving home when he witnessed the plane crash near Reagan Airport in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. READ MORE
