WASHINGTON- A devastating midair collision occurred today between American Airlines (AA) Flight 5342 and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter near Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirms the PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet plunged into the Potomac River during its final approach after departing from Wichita, Kansas on Wednesday (January 29, 2025).
Photo: By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK – Bombardier CRJ-700 ‘N724SK’ American Eagle, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66991728American Airlines Plane Collided with Helicopter
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, working alongside FAA investigators to determine the cause of the collision. Federal authorities emphasize that their initial findings remain preliminary and could evolve as the investigation progresses.
The tragedy has drawn immediate attention from Kansas political leadership, with Senator Jerry Moran taking to social media platform X to address the incident. “Learning that a plane inbound from Kansas was involved in a crash at DCA. I am in contact with authorities,” Moran wrote, urging constituents to join him in prayer for those affected.
Senator Roger Marshall also acknowledged the incident on X, confirming his awareness of “reports of a collision with a D.C. helicopter and an inbound flight from Wichita, KS.” Marshall assured the public of his ongoing communication with investigating authorities and echoed his colleague’s call for prayers, specifically mentioning “every single passenger and their families.”
Emergency services have mobilized a multi-agency search and rescue operation in the Potomac River following reports of a passenger aircraft crash received at 8:53 p.m. local time. DC Police, Fire Department, and Metropolitan Police Department confirmed in their joint statement that casualty information remains unconfirmed.
Senator Roger Marshall revealed the aircraft carried approximately 60 passengers when it collided with a military helicopter.
Photo: CAIRPresident Trump Remarks
President Donald Trump received immediate notification of the collision near Reagan National Airport, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during her Fox News interview with Sean Hannity. Federal and local law enforcement agencies have launched coordinated response efforts to maximize rescue potential.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the nation through social media platform X, urging Americans to unite in prayer while the administration monitors ongoing developments. The Trump administration expressed solidarity with those affected, as emergency response teams continue their rescue operations.
Senator Marshall characterized the event as “nothing short of a nightmare” in his social media statement, confirming the flight originated from his home state of Kansas. He assured constituents of his active engagement with local and national authorities to obtain detailed information about the incident’s circumstances.
Leavitt emphasized the administration’s focus on the rescue effort, urging public cooperation with law enforcement directives during the ongoing emergency response. The Press Secretary confirmed the full engagement of both federal and local resources in the rescue operation.
Photo: N i c o l a | FlickrHotline for Passengers
American Airlines has activated its emergency response protocol, establishing a dedicated hotline at 800-679-8215 for families of passengers aboard Flight 5342. International callers can access additional contact numbers through news.aa.com, while residents of Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands may use the primary hotline number.
The Association of Flight Attendants confirmed two union members served as crew on the ill-fated flight. The union has mobilized its Employee Assistance Program, accessible at 800-424-2406, to support affected flight attendants and their families. A public message support line will be established tomorrow morning.
The Air Line Pilots Association has dispatched an accident investigation team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the collision. Initial reports from law enforcement confirm fatalities, with no survivors rescued thus far. The aircraft wreckage lies scattered in the Potomac River, with the helicopter debris located nearby.
The incident involves American Airlines Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, which departed from Wichita, Kansas carrying 64 passengers. The U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, was engaged in a training exercise when the collision occurred near Reagan National Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration has suspended operations at Reagan National Airport until Friday at 5 a.m. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirms emergency response began around 9 p.m. Wednesday, with mutual aid support from neighboring agencies.
This crash joins a short list of fatal commercial aviation accidents in the United States, following the 2013 Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash in San Francisco that claimed three lives and the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 disaster near Buffalo, which resulted in 50 fatalities.
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