Investigations Underway After Midair Collision Near Washington, DC

A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has left the nation in shock.

At a Glance

  • An American Airlines regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport
  • The passenger plane carried 64 civilians, while three Army soldiers were aboard the helicopter
  • A massive search-and-rescue operation was launched in the Potomac River
  • President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have been briefed on the incident
  • The FAA and NTSB are investigating the collision

Tragic Collision Shakes Washington D.C.

In a shocking turn of events, an American Airlines passenger plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. The incident, which occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m. ET on January 29, has resulted in multiple fatalities and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

The collision involved American Eagle Flight 5342, en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., carrying 64 civilians. The military helicopter, carrying three U.S. Army soldiers, was on a training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The impact created a fireball visible to witnesses on the ground, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Search and Rescue Efforts

Immediately following the collision, a massive search-and-rescue operation was launched in the Potomac River. The water temperature, recorded at a frigid 42 degrees Fahrenheit, added urgency to the rescue efforts. As of 11:40 p.m., no survivors had been pulled from the water, heightening concerns for all involved.

Emergency personnel rushed to the scene, with at least four people taken to local hospitals. The airport terminal remained open, but all takeoffs and landings were temporarily suspended.

Official Response and Investigation

The White House and transportation officials, including newly confirmed Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, are closely monitoring the situation. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations, with the NTSB taking the lead in unraveling the chain of events that led to the catastrophic encounter.

Vice President JD Vance has called for prayers. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best,” Vance said.

“May God Bless their souls,” President Donald Trump added.