KUALA LUMPUR – A passenger jet collided mid-air with a military helicopter over the Potomac River, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the US late Wednesday evening local time.
The aircraft involved was identified as a PSA Airlines flight (5342) operating under American Airlines. The jet, a Bombardier CRJ700, was en route from Wichita, Kansas, Sky News reported.
Local police confirmed via social media that a search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies was underway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is collecting further details on the incident.
Al Jazeera reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash occurred on Wednesday evening when the Bombardier regional jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter while the passenger aircraft was approaching the runway at the airport.
Absolutely speechless. I selected this apartment so I could watch the planes take off and land every night; never imagined I’d look out the window to see this.
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) January 30, 2025
Praying for the folks onboard American Airlines Flight 5342. I’m so sorry I can’t string together a better sentence. pic.twitter.com/EBd6w2TB7r
At present, the number of passengers and any fatalities have not been disclosed.
According to CNBC, the crash took place around 9pm local time, with the flight approaching Runway 33. The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
The FAA and NTSB are currently investigating the incident.
Authorities confirmed that at least one of the aircraft had fallen into the Potomac River. Social media images showed a large emergency response presence. Reagan National was closed to air traffic on Wednesday night, the FAA stated.
American Airlines acknowledged the incident on social media, noting it would provide more information as it becomes available. The White House press office confirmed that President Donald Trump was briefed on the matter.
The NTSB is leading the investigation.
It remains unclear whether there were any casualties. The U.S. has experienced a long period without fatal commercial airline crashes.
The most recent fatal crash occurred in February 2009 when Continental Flight 3407, a turboprop plane, crashed into a house while arriving in Buffalo, New York, resulting in the deaths of all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground. – January 30, 2025